Adam Armstrong’s first touch in a Rovers shirt was an attempted cross-field pass that hit the referee square in the face.

His last was much classier, attending Rovers’ Brockhall training base to say his goodbyes to those who have helped him on his journey from prospect to the Championship’s hottest property.

They included receptionists, kitmen, cleaners, kitchen staff, media team as well as the team-mates who will need to try and fill the void left by his departure.

Speculation surrounding Armstrong’s future has been intensive, and from reading reports last Wednesday evening you could have been forgiven for expecting Armstrong to move to any of three clubs.

Tony Mowbray’s call for those chasing his signature to meet Rovers’ valuation after the opening day win over Swansea City in a bid to bring an end to the impasse that led to the striker sitting that one out, saw Southampton do just that, and from there a move has progressed quickly.

Rovers delivered on their promise that they would accept a bid which met their valuation, Armstrong did his part by banging in the goals to earn the interest and deserves credit for the way he acted throughout the summer.

He may not have been at his sharpest in the four pre-season friendlies in which he featured, but there were never any fears of him causing issues around the club in a bid to force a move. Indeed, it was Mowbray’s call to leave him out against Swansea.

As for Southampton, they’re getting a player who looks suited to their style of play and ready to make the step-up.

Signing in January 2018, he and Jack Payne were the final pieces in the promotion jigsaw as Rovers romped their way back to the Championship, Armstrong hitting nine goals in the process.

He was Rovers’ No.1 target that summer, the deal eventually wrapped up in the first week of August. And it how that came about that has impacted on the next move in his footballing journey.

After a goal-laden loan spell under Mowbray at Coventry, Armstrong signed a bumper four-year deal at Newcastle United on a healthy contract that Rovers wouldn’t have reached even had the striker signed the contract that was on the table this summer.

For selling him for a below market value rate of £1.75m, Newcastle inserted a sell-on clause of 40 per cent of the profit from which they will now benefit, while Armstrong, having taken a wage cut to make the Ewood move possible, will now get the rewards of signing for a Premier League club.

In return, Rovers have had three fine years of service from a player who, up until a spell in March, had barely missed a match injured, and contributed 64 goals in the process.

Armstrong could have sat on that contract at St James’ Park, played Under-23s football or gone on a succession of loans, but instead he backed his ability at 21 to build up his experience and earn himself a move back to the big time.

He does so with the well-wishes of all concerned, the Rovers fans accepting the move ticks the boxes of ‘right time’, ‘making financial sense’ and ‘deserved recognition for the player’.

There were his screamers in 2019/20 and predatory instinct in 2020/21, followed mainly by his trademark Angel of the North celebration as he finished as top scorer in successive seasons, with only Ivan Toney of Brentford bettering his 28 league goals last term, largely owing to his ability from the penalty spot.

Armstrong’s game has developed from a wide attacker, his role then to work up and down the touchline as well as leading Rovers counter-attacking threat, to taking on the attacking burden following the injury to Bradley Dack and then to leading the line and having the side built around him.

That allowed him to flourish last term, but his all-round game has come on immeasurably, not simply about using his pace to sit on the shoulder of the last defender, now willing to drop off and pick up intelligent positions to become involved in the build-up, but still be able to get himself inside the box.

You couldn’t help but think when Rovers led those late breakaways against Swansea how perfect that would have been for Armstrong to mop up a few goals for himself. A third successive Ewood hat-trick might not have been out of the question.

The disappointment for supporters isn’t about his departure, only that they didn’t get to see him at full throttle live inside Ewood Park, his best 18 months in a Rovers shirt only able to be watched via a streaming service, no chance to say goodbye.

How supporters would have savoured his three hat-tricks in thumping wins last season, last minute winners against Rotherham United and Millwall, and watched on with awe in as he secured a midweek win at Cardiff in July with a goal from 45 yards.

Under-stated and modest as a character, Armstrong was always quick to under-play the achievements that have earned him this move.

‘Mini Shearer’ has followed the career path of his hero but in reverse. As the Angel of the North heads south, he does so with the well-wishes of all concerned.