GOALKEEPER Gavin Bazunu revealed how he was from the same school of thought as veteran Willy Caballero, who has been “brilliant” with the youngster since his arrival.

Bazunu made his Premier League debut for Saints during Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, having signed for a reported £12million from Manchester City this summer.

He got the nod to start for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side ahead of Alex McCarthy, with veteran Caballero not making the matchday squad for the season opener.

Tasked with playing a supportive role for the younger keepers at the club, former Argentina international Caballero has had a big impact on Bazunu since his arrival.

Asked what it was like to work in the goalkeeper group with the 40-year-old, who is double his age, Bazunu told the Daily Echo: “Willy has been brilliant.

“He is probably one of the players I am closest to in the group. I sit next to him in the changing room.

“One of the big things is we have both worked with the goalkeeper coach at Manchester City (Xabier Mancisidor), so we have both learned similar techniques and both think about the goalkeeper position in a similar way.

“That really helps.”

Despite playing at the top level of his native Ireland at the age of 16, as well as in the Europa League. Bazunu’s next taste of senior football came during League One loan spells at Rochdale and Portsmouth.

Asked what he learned about those loans, when speaking ahead of his top-flight debut last week, the 20-year-old said: “I feel like because I’ve played professional football and started at such an early age at Shamrock Rovers, my hunger was always to get back out there and play first-team football.

“That was my priority. As soon as I got to Manchester City, I spent the first six months in the under-18s and then the next year with the 23s.

“My aim was always to get back out and experience that feeling of playing for points. You can’t compare under-23s level to first-team level. The pressure is different.

“But I enjoy that pressure. That’s where my performances come from. I feel like when you’re playing for a lot more, it’s easier for me.

“The two loan spells, the biggest thing was just to get the game time. I’ve played almost 100 games now in professional football and I feel like that’s a really solid foundation to help me to step up to this next level.”

Bazunu will hope to keep his place when Leeds visit St Mary’s in the Premier League on Saturday.

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