A top women's footballer is hoping to spend it like Beckham this summer after signing for an American soccer team.

23-year-old striker Katie Anderton from Preston wants to follow in the footsteps of the former England captain by spending three months playing for FC Indiana.

The Blackburn Rovers Ladies star jets out to The States in May after the Women's Premier Soccer League champions contacted her club and asked whether the forward, who has 21 goals in her last 18 league and cup games, could go out and play for them.

However, the stint in the US does not come without apprehensions for Katie who, at the age 13, suffered dreadful homesickness during her time at the now defunct England youth academy at Loughborough, Leicestershire.

She said: "It was they who contacted Blackburn and inquired about me going across to Indiana. That was at the beginning of February.

"It was a total shock, to be honest. It will provide a different experience and it's not every day you go to America, especially when it's somebody wanting you to go out there."

"I don't know how I'll cope with the homesickness.

"The thing is I haven't spent time away from home since the experience at Loughborough when I was 13.

"I'm apprehensive but then again it's something I can't miss and I know there's always the ability to contact home.

"When I was at Loughborough I felt alienated and I'm sure the first few weeks this time will be about settling in and getting used to it.

"I'm more confident now and it's going to be a great experience.

"I've never been to America before so I'm looking forward to seeing a different lifestyle and a different style of play.

"They have a full day schedule so I'm aiming to bring some of those skills back with me and get fitter as well."

Shek Borkowski, manager of FC Indiana, said: "Anderton's signing gives us five quality forwards.

"Elena Danilova of Russia, Monica Ocampo of Mexico, Venicia Reid of Jamaica and Lauren Sesselmann of USA are all experienced internationals.

"The competition among our forwards will be intense and we expect Katie to help us play entertaining and high-scoring football."

As well as knocking in the goals in the Women's Premier League, Katie splits her time between studying for a sports coaching degree at UCLan in Preston and a part time job at a five-a-side football centre in the city.

With women's football growing in popularity she believes it is a good sport for any young girl to take up because it mixes fun with health benefits.

Although Katie will be in America at the same time as David Beckham, her own inspiration came from another England legend.

She said: "Beckham played at Preston North End, who I support, but to be honest Paul Gascoigne was my hero and I wear number eight now because of him.

"He was a fantastic player but I don't want to copy his personal antics, it's Diet Coke all the way for me!

"My dad's a big North End fan and he was a bit dubious when I signed for Blackburn four seasons ago but I manage to distinguish between the men's team and what I do."

She is not currently part of the England squad but the national coach, Hope Powell, has sent scouts to keep tabs on her prolific form this season.

If chosen, a trip to China for the women's World Cup in September could be waiting for her.