Bala Devi signs for Rangers
The prolific goal-scorer, who joins the Glasgow outfit on an 18-month deal, becomes the club's first Asian international player.
Rangers have announced the signing of India National Team forward Bala Devi from Manipur Police Sports Club, with the 29-year-old joining on an 18-month-deal after a successful trial in November last year.
Bala Devi: India's top scorer
Bala Devi is the captain and current top scorer for the Indian national women's team, with 52 goals in 58 games. She made her debut in 2005, when she was just 15. With her signing she becomes the first Indian woman to become a full-time professional anywhere in the world and also becomes Rangers' first Asian international player.
Bala, as she's known, made headlines last year when she scored 26 goals in just seven games for Manipur Police Department in the Indian Women's League. She won the South Asian Football Federation Women's Championship title in 2010, 2014 and 2016, and was named All India Football Federation Women's Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015.
Bala delighted to join Rangers
Speaking about signing for Rangers, Bala said: "To play my football in Europe with one of the biggest clubs in the world is something I could never have dreamed of. 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.
“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 an exciting signing for Rangers: "On so many levels"
Amy McDonald, Women’s and Girls’ Football Manager said: “We are thrilled to welcome Bala to Rangers. She is an exciting signing on so many levels. Bala is a playmaker who likes to play as a number 10 and we believe she will contribute goals and assists to the team. She will provide us with an attacking threat and a versatility that we can utilise to our benefit going into the 2020 season. Her move can be inspirational for players everywhere to show them where football can take them and what it can help them achieve.”
Bala: Make it happen
In an interview with Sportskeeda in 2014 to celebrate International Women's Day Bala was asked what the slogan for International women’s day, ‘Make it happen’, meant to her. She replied: "I can relate with it so much because when I started playing football I always wanted to play in the senior team. It was my dream and I worked really hard to reach were I am today. But I never disclosed my desire to anyone. I would say whatever your dream or desire are don’t just think and MAKE IT HAPPEN."