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Southampton have announced the signing of Adam Armstrong from Blackburn Rovers in a £15m transfer deal.
Armstrong joins Southampton after spending the last three-and-a-half seasons at Blackburn where he scored 64 goals in 164 appearances, plus was the second highest goalscorer in the Championship last season with 28 goals – five goals behind Brentford’s Ivan Toney who netted on 33 occasions.
This move also sees Armstrong return to the Premier League for the first time since making 15 top-flight appearances between 2013-15 for Newcastle United, where he began his career.
Speaking on his decision to join the Saints, Armstrong said: “It’s unbelievable to be here – such a massive club with a great fanbase and it’s just something that I’m really looking forward to.
“I thought it was perfect as my next step. I wanted to get back to the Premier League from what I’ve done for Blackburn, so I’m over the moon.”
Under Ralph Hasenhuttl, Southampton often play a high-press counter-attacking style which Armstrong also spoke of as fitting his forward play, saying: “That’s something that’s my kind of game as well – I’ve scored most of my goals on the counter-attack or from chances being created high up the pitch where I’m taking balls off defenders.”
Armstrong also revealed that he has spoken to Hasenhuttl who explained how he intends to utilise the 24 year-old and how Southampton play their style.
Acknowledging his impressive goal-scoring form which has improved every season, Armstrong admitted that “confidence” has often been key, adding: “As a striker, you know you’re going to get chances in the game, but I’ve always been a confident lad – on the pitch and off the pitch – in my own abilities of what I can do.”
Having scored 46 goals in 91 appearances across all competitions in last two seasons, Armstrong reflected on his improved form, as he felt that his performances simply “just came together” after getting deployed down the middle more as part of Tony Mowbray’s tactics at Blackburn.
Hasenhuttl meanwhile is delighted to seal his “big target” of the summer following Danny Ings’ exit to Aston Villa, despite having to fend off competition from various clubs including Crystal Palace to secure his signature.
The Austrian also praised Armstrong’s qualities and attributes, commenting: “He is a young, dynamic player who has developed well so far and already has good experience, as well as an impressive goalscoring record, and I believe we can now help him realise even more of his potential.”
Armstrong is Southampton’s second striker signing today (10 August) after Armando Broja joined on loan from Chelsea for this season, although Hasenhuttl isn’t fazed by Armstrong’s addition to the squad as he noted that Armstrong offers “a lot of qualities to our team,” and provides extra tactical options up front.
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