Bengaluru: Renowned Scottish club Rangers FC on Wednesday announced the signing of woman's national team forward Bala Devi, a first in Indian football. Subject to international clearance, the 29-year-old will join 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 she 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, which also makes her the top international goal scorer in the South Asian region. She has also served as national team captain in a distinguished international career, which began when she was called up aged just 15. Bala has a prolific record at the domestic level with over 100 goals in 120 games.