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Bibiana Steinhaus will make history on Sunday 10 September when she becomes the Bundesliga's first female referee.

The 38-year-old police officer will take charge of Werder Bremen's game at Hertha Berlin having been appointed to Germany's top flight in May after six years officiating second-tier games.

"My anticipation for the first game in the Bundesliga is, of course, very great," said Bibiana, who was also a referee at Women's Euro 2017.

"I am delighted that this great challenge for my team and I is finally going on Sunday. We are definitely very well prepared."

The news was received well by Werder Bremen coach Alexander Nouri, who said: "She has earned it through very good performances – and in the end, that is the most important thing."

Bibiana has built her reputation over an 18-year career that began in Germany’s women’s top flight, the Frauen-Bundesliga, in 1999, before moving on to the men’s second division in 2007, becoming the first female to referee a professional men's match in Germany.

She has extensive experience in the women’s game, refereeing the final of the women's World Cup in Germany in 2011 and in August was in charge of Bayern Munich's first round German Cup win against Chemnitzer.

Bibiana also refereed the Women's Champions League final earlier this year in Cardiff.

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