PAIGE Peake shared that she thought it was a “no-brainer” to link up with Saints this summer with the 19-year-old well aware of Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s side after battling with them for Ipswich last term.

Essex-born Peake, who is a defender by trade, arrives on the south coast from Saints’ previous title rivals Ipswich. Whilst Ipswich managed to beat Saints twice last term, including a victory in the FA Cup, it was the Hampshire side who went on to the have the last laugh, clinching the league title and then earning promotion to the second tier.

Peake actually scored against Saints the last time she faced her new side, converting a penalty in an eventual 2-1 loss that saw momentum in the title race swing towards Saints.

Speaking to Saints’ website after securing her move from the Tractor Girls, Peake mentioned: “Very excited. From the first moment I spoke to Marieanne (Spacey-Cale, Saints boss) and came and had a look around the training ground, it was a no-brainer really.

“I think it was just the whole culture that is being created here.

“Obviously, I’m young, so moving away from home for the first time, I wanted to know where I feel like I’d fit in and belong, and almost have a strong sense of family around me. I feel like this is definitely that place.

“They’re winners. They won the league, last year, they won the cup, they got promoted.

“That’s what I want to do. I’ve come here to win and develop, and get better, and hopefully, we can continue that into the Championship.”

New recruit Peake labels Saints move a 'no-brainer'

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