BANGALORE (India): Rangers Football Club announced on Wednesday the signing of India national team attacker Bala Devi from Manipur Police Sports Club, subject to international clearance.
The 29-year-old joins the club on an 18-month-deal after a successful spell on trial at Rangers in November.
This will make Bala the first Indian woman to become a professional footballer anywhere in the world, and also becomes Rangers’ first Asian international footballer.
Bala is the current top scorer for the Indian national women’s team, netting an impressive 52 times in 58 games since 2010, also making her the top international goal scorer in the South Asian region.
She has also served as her national team captain in a distinguished international career, which began when she was called up aged just 15.
Bala also has a prolific goal-scoring record at the domestic level with over 100 goals in 120 games. She has been the top scorer in the Indian Women’s League for the past two seasons and has also been named as All India Football Federation (AIFF) Women’s Player of the Year twice, in 2015 and 2016.
Hope my move to Rangers serves as an example to all women: Bala
“To play my football in Europe with one of the biggest clubs in the world is something I could never have dreamed of. I hope my move to Rangers serves as an example to all the women footballers back home,” said Bala.
“I’m very grateful to coach Amy McDonald, the coaching staff and the entire management at Rangers for believing in me. This move wouldn’t have been possible without Bengaluru FC who have been instrumental throughout. I can’t wait to get to Glasgow, join my teammates and give this my best shot.”
Bala’s arrival in Glasgow has been possible thanks to the network that has been provided through the club’s partnership with Bengaluru FC that was announced in September, 2019.
McDonald, women’s and girls’ manager at Rangers said: “We are thrilled to welcome Bala to Rangers. She is an exciting signing on so many levels.”
Disclaimer :- This story has not been edited by Khelupdates staff. Source: Bengaluru FC
