Top five female Indian footballers with overseas stint

A list featuring some of the Indian women footballers who have played outside India.

Indian women’s football has steadily expanded beyond domestic boundaries, like the Indian Women’s League (IWL), over the past decade. Several players have, over the years, earned opportunities to play abroad and test themselves in different football cultures.

From Europe to Central Asia and the Maldives, these overseas stints have not only enhanced individual footballing careers but also elevated the profile of Indian Women’s football globally. Here is a look at five Indian women footballers who featured for foreign clubs.

5. Grace Dangmei

Grace Dangmei’s overseas experience came in Central Asia when she played for FC Sevinch Qarshi in the Uzbekistan Women’s League during the 2022–23 season. A player known for her pace and work rate in attack, Dangmei’s move marked another example of Indian players exploring emerging football markets.

Her stint in Uzbekistan saw her record four goals in 14 appearances while helping her team win both the league and cup in that calendar year. Dangmei’s adaptation to a physically demanding style of play and exposure to a competitive league proved that she can play at the highest level.

4. Tanvie Hans

One of the path breaking Indian women to feature in overseas football in England, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) player Tanvie Hans played for Tottenham Hotspur Women FC and Fulham LFC between 2013 and 2015.

At a time when overseas opportunities for Indian players were rare, Hans’ presence in the English system was significant and proved that there was a legitimate pathway for women to play competitive football outside of India. Later on, Hans also returned back to India to play for Sethu FC during the 2017-18 IWL season and continues to play as a midfielder for Misaka United in the Karnataka Women’s League.

ALSO READ: IWL 2025-26: Updated Points Table after Round 6 fixtures

3. Manisha Kalyan

Currently flying the Indian flag in Europe, Manisha Kalyan has been playing for PAOK in the Greek A Division since 2024. The winger’s move to Greece represents a growing trend of Indian players securing contracts in established European leagues.

Her technical ability and attacking flair have helped her adapt to a faster, tactically demanding style of football, making her one of the most prominent Indian players overseas at present. She has made 23 appearances and scored eight goals and also provided five assists as PAOK finished fifth in the league and reached the semifinals of the Greek Cup.

2. Aditi Chauhan

Chauhan was yet another player who played in England when she joined West Ham United Women FC, playing for the club from 2015 to 2018. As one of the first player from the India national women’s team to play the semi-professional league in England’s FA Women’s Super League, the goalkeeper’s stint was historic.

Chauhan’s time at West Ham provided her with top-level training exposure and match experience, honing her skills and enhancing her reputation as one of India’s most reliable goalkeepers. She later joined Gokulam Kerala FC during the 2019-20 IWL season where she won two league titles and was also part of the Gokulam team, which came third in the AFC Women’s Club Championship in 2021.

1. Bala Devi

A player widely regarded as one of India’s finest women footballers. She first played abroad for New Radiant Women’s SC in the Maldives in 2015, before making history with Rangers Women FC in Scotland during the 2020–21 season, signing on the dotted line for an 18-month contract.

Bala Devi became the first Indian woman to score in a professional football league in Europe by netting for the Rangers as they won by a scoreline of 9–0 against Motherwell in December 2020. While her overseas journey was cut short by an ankle injury which ruled her out for the rest of the season, she inspired a new generation of players to dream beyond domestic leagues like the IWL.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.