Rangers FC signs Indian woman footballer Bala Devi; marks history by becoming the first woman Indian footballer to play professionally outside India.
Ngangom Bala Devi who earlier went to Scotland for a trial for Rangers has officially signed by the Scottish giants with the club releasing a statement of signing her.
The statement says that the 29-year-old has joined the club on an 18-month-deal after a successful spell on trial at Rangers in November. This means that Devi will be the first Indian footballer to play professionally outside India.
Moreover, with this, she also becomes the first Asian International to join the Scottish club. Bala has a decorated career with the Indian football team, where she also captained the side earlier.
https://twitter.com/RangersWFC/status/1222472070321311746?s=20
“I hope my move to Rangers serves as an example to all the women footballers back home in India who dream of taking up the sport professionally,” said Bala Devi.
“I’m looking forward to making the most of the top-class facilities and coaching and I am certain I will benefit immensely from the standard of training and competition.
“I’m very grateful to Amy McDonald, the coaching staff and the entire management at Rangers for believing in me.” she further said.
“Also, 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 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.
Bala also has a prolific goalscoring record at the domestic level with over 100 goals in 120 games. Her move now needs the international clearance, which will allow her to appear in the matches played by Rangers.
