A Redcar footballer is realising her dreams of one day being a professional soccer star.

Becky Angus, 17, has been spotted by talent scouts and signed to play for an American college ladies' team and will fly out to Tennessee today.

She will make her debut for the Tenessee Eagles, a team that represents Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, on August 30.

As well as displaying footballing talent, Becky also had to pass an exam to win her football scholarship to the college, where she will spend four years studying for a PE degree.

Becky, a Middlesbrough supporter, has been kicking a ball around since she could walk and has played for various football teams since she was just seven.

But, since she was ten ,she has played for Marton Ladies, where her talent has grown, culminating in 22 goals last season.

At the moment, the centre forward's life is resembling the script from one of her favourite films - Bend it Like Beckham - the story of a girls' football team and its star players being spotted and signed to play for American football teams.

She said: "I've always wanted to go to America and do this. They have professional ladies' teams there and that's what I want to do, go professional and also play for England."

She was given the chance to pursue her dreams with £1,000 from the West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget's community chest, to help pay for flights and sports gear.

In a busy week of preparations, Becky still managed to go to see the England versus Slovakia game at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium, thanks to her little sister Chloe, 11.

She had won a competition through her dance class to carry the England flag at the game, as well as a free ticket to watch the game, which she immediately gave to her big sister.