SAINTS women’s keeper Kayla Rendell revealed World Cup winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was her footballing idol.

The legendary Juventus stopper, a 10-time Italian champion, is someone the Saints star revealed she looked at growing up.

Asked for her football idol when speaking to the club’s website, Rendell replied: “I’d probably say Buffon, just because he is amazing at everything.

“He has won so many things and I just look at him as a goalkeeper and think he can do everything pretty much.”

Rendell herself started playing the game at the age of six and represented Poole-based Merley Cobham Sports.

The Saints number one was part of Dorset’s centre of excellence before linking up with Hampshire and then Saints.

“I went to Hampshire when I was 13 and then Hampshire progressed into Southampton, so I just followed it from there,” she added.

“But I just think how amazing Southampton’s academy is. I think it’s well known for how great it is to have youngsters come through to the first team.

“It helped me progress from the 16s and now we are at the women’s team.”

England youth international Rendell is set to be part of Marieanne-Spacey Cale’s side to compete in National League Southern Premier next season – the third tier of the women’s game.