Rovers have expressed their sadness at the death of former player Kit Napier.

Napier signed for Rovers from Brighton in September 1972, as part of a double deal involving Dave Turner.

Kit made his debut, alongside Turner, in the defeat to Bolton Wanderers at Ewood Park, one of 35 appearances that season. The Scottish attacker scored his first goal for the club later that month in a win over Plymouth Argyle, as his debut season at Rovers under manager Ken Furphy saw him score seven times in all competitions.

Napier finished his Rovers career with 13 goals in 64 games, with his final appearance coming in a 4-3 win over Bournemouth in March 1974.

He would go on to join South African side Durban United, having spent time with Blackpool, Preston, Workington, Newcastle and Brighton before his move to East Lancashire.

He scored twice for a Workington side in October 1964, managed by Furphy, as they upset Rovers in the league cup, winning their replay 5-1.

Napier, who died at the age of 75, was best known for his time with the Seagulls where he scored 99 times between 1966 and 1972.

A Rovers spokesman said: “We’d like to send our condolences to Kit’s family and friends at this sad time’.