Eppe Franklyne –
- Liverpool confirms the transfer of Canadian striker Olivia Smith to Arsenal for a record £1 million fee—the highest ever in women’s football.
- Smith, 20, joins Arsenal after a successful season at Liverpool, where she scored nine goals in 25 appearances and was named Player of the Season.
- Arsenal’s head coach praises Smith’s ambition, character, and proven success in European leagues, expressing confidence in her future impact.
- Internationally, Smith is Canada’s youngest-ever player and has starred at major tournaments, including the 2023 FIFA World Cup and 2024 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Liverpool FC announced on Thursday that Canadian forward Olivia Smith has completed a high-profile transfer to Women’s Super League rivals Arsenal, setting a new record for the highest transfer fee in women’s football history. According to The Guardian, the deal was worth £1 million, surpassing the previous record of £900,000 paid by Chelsea for Naomi Girma earlier this year.
At just 20 years old, Smith expressed her excitement about joining Arsenal: “It’s a privilege and an honour to sign for Arsenal. It’s my dream to compete for the biggest titles here in England and in Europe. I’m excited to get started and contribute to that success. The atmosphere the supporters create at Emirates Stadium is incredible—I can’t wait to have that behind me now.”
Smith arrived at Liverpool in July 2024 from Sporting Clube in Portugal and made an immediate impact by scoring nine goals across 25 appearances last season. Her performances earned her Liverpool’s Player of the Season award and a nomination for the Women’s Super League Rising Star award.
Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers commented on the signing: “Olivia is an exciting young player who we believe can make a big contribution here at Arsenal. We’ve been impressed by her mentality and character, excelling in two European leagues at such a young age. She has a level of ambition that matches our own, and we look forward to helping her continue to grow.”
On the international stage, Smith made history as Canada’s youngest-ever player, debuting at just 15 years old in 2019. She has represented Canada at key tournaments, including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where she was named Best Young Player.
Smith’s transfer signals Arsenal’s intent to strengthen their squad with young, world-class talent as they aim for top honours domestically and in Europe.
