Adam Armstrong has expressed his gratitude to Blackburn Rovers for helping to kickstart his career and wants to thank the supporters when he returns to Ewood Park later this year.

The Southampton striker left Rovers in the summer of 2021 to join the Saints in a move that completed his journey back to the Premier League. It was a big-money move for Armstrong which netted Rovers a tidy profit on their signing.

After a series of loan spells away from Newcastle United, Armstrong found a home at Ewood Park and repaid Rovers' investment with 64 goals across his three-year stay. 

Things didn't go to plan in the Premier League but the striker has been in red-hot form back in the Championship. He's scored 14 Championship goals for Russell Martin's side, two fewer than top-scorer Sam Szmodics.

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Reflecting on his time in blue and white halves, Armstrong still holds memories of promotion from League One to the Championship dearly.

“I thought it was excellent [on his time at Blackburn Rovers], it was something that I needed at that time," he told Sky Bet on behalf of The Lancashire Telegraph.

"I left Newcastle and went on loan to Blackburn for six months and was shown the love and for Tony Mowbray to sign me and show his trust in me, it was great. 

"To go through the leagues, from League One to the Championship was something that I needed and I’m thankful to Tony and Blackburn for taking me there, and I had an amazing time there.” 

Armstrong remains in close contact with a number of the players from his time with the club. Joe Rothwell has just teamed up with him at Southampton, signing on loan from Bournemouth for the remainder of the season.

“I speak to a lot [of the players] – we had a tight-knit squad there [at Blackburn Rovers]," he explained.

"Some of the lads are still playing, some of the lads are retired. A lot of us speak to each other quite a lot. We had a good squad – when you get promoted with a club, it brings everyone closer off the pitch as well. 

"That just generally happens, you create these bonds on the pitch and off the pitch as well. It seems to all just click together and there’s a lot of people there who I still speak to.” 

Armstrong featured against Rovers for the first time since leaving the club in December, a 4-0 win for the Saints. He will return to Ewood in April.

Having left during the season where matches were behind closed doors because of the pandemic, Armstrong is looking forward to getting the opportunity to say thank you to the fans who supported them throughout his time at the club.

"Yes, I am (looking forward to returning) because the season that I left it was COVID, so I didn’t get a chance to say my goodbyes properly, even to the stadium staff and the fans. 

"I saw them [the Blackburn fans] when they came to St. Mary’s, but it’s hard saying thank you to the away fans when you’re in your own stadium. It will be nice to go back and see some familiar faces.”