Defender Asmita Ale is one of the few South Asian female footballers in England.

Born in Dorset to parents from Nepal, the 22-year-old made history in 2019 when she signed her first professional contract with Aston Villa, becoming the first footballer of Nepalese origin to join a Premier League club.

Ale continues to break barriers for South Asian women, by playing in the Women’s Super League.

She started her career in Aston Villa’s academy at the age of eight and, having joined the women’s team, she helped the club win the Championship and get promoted to the top tier of women’s football.

A move to Tottenham Hotspur followed in 2021, before a spell on loan at Leicester City last season.

That agreement was made permanent in July as Ale remained the only British South Asian in the league.

Internationally, she has represented England at youth levels and could become the first South Asian to play for the Lionesses.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ale said her parents always tell her to be proud of her heritage.