SAINTS forward Adam Armstrong is "looking forward" to renewing his "great connection" with summer signing Ben Brereton Diaz.

Armstrong revealed the duo were best friends off the pitch during their time at Blackburn Rovers having arrived at Ewood Park during the summer of 2018.

Armstrong departed Blackburn in 2021 to join Saints and has been reunited with the Chile international following his £7million arrival from Villarreal last month.

Armstrong told the Daily Echo: "It's nice to see him, it's been a while. We had a great connection at Blackburn and were best friends off the pitch. It's nice to see him again.

"He shared his experiences of what it was like playing in Spain and being with Chile. He's a good lad and a great player so I'm sure it will work out fine."

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Armstrong will have to wait a little longer before he can rekindle that relationship with Brereton Diaz on the field.

The former Rovers teammates replaced each other at The Den as Russell Martin looked to manage both players' fitness.

Adam Armstrong and Ben Brereton Diaz played together at Blackburn between 2018 and 2021 Adam Armstrong and Ben Brereton Diaz played together at Blackburn between 2018 and 2021 (Image: Southampton FC / Matt Watson)

"It will be nice when we do eventually play with each other," Armstrong added. "You've seen the size of him.

"He's a powerful lad who makes a lot of runs in behind. He's technically good. It's something that I'm looking forward to. I've known Bez for years now. It's good to be back with him."

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Armstrong is confident that the duo can complement each other with their off-the-ball movement.

The Gerodie enjoyed a lot of success last season playing off the right, while Brereton Diaz is at his best when drifting in off the left.

Asked if those tendencies can help them this season, Armstrong concluded: "Yeah, I think so. At Blackburn, I was down the middle and he was off the left.

"We have got a good relationship. He does a lot of running, which is always nice, and he can create a lot of chances."