Olivia Smith Shatters Transfer Record in Women’s Soccer

In an unprecedented move, Canadian forward Olivia Smith has set a new benchmark in women’s soccer, becoming the most expensive player in the sport’s history. The 20-year-old was signed by Arsenal from Liverpool for a staggering one million pounds (US$1.34 million), outshining the previous record held by Naomi Girma.

Smith’s Four-Year Deal with Arsenal

The four-year deal marks a significant increase in spending in women’s soccer, a trend that has seen transfer records being broken regularly. Just last year, Zambia striker Rachael Kundananji joined Bay FC from Madrid CFF for a record $788,000, a figure that was quickly surpassed by Girma’s move to Chelsea for $1.1 million.

Previous Record-Breaking Transfers

Historically, there has been a gradual increase in the value of women’s soccer players. In 2020, Denmark’s Pernille Harder was the most expensive women’s player when she joined Chelsea from Wolfsburg for $355,000. Later, in 2022, England’s Keira Walsh moved from Manchester City to Barcelona for a deal worth $513,000. Chelsea broke the record again in 2024, signing Mayra Ramirez from Levante for $542,000.

Smith’s Rising Career

Smith’s career has seen a rapid rise since her development in the United States college system. In 2023, she joined Sporting Clube in Portugal, where she scored 16 goals in 28 appearances in her debut season. The following year, she moved to Liverpool, scoring nine goals in 25 games and earning the title of Liverpool FC Women’s 2024-25 Player of the Season.

Smith’s International Career

Smith has also made a name for herself on the international stage. She is currently the youngest international player for Canada, having made her debut at 15 in 2019. To date, she has scored three goals and provided three assists in 18 senior appearances for Canada.

Arsenal’s Expectations

Arsenal, a 15-time English champion and recent Champions League winner, has high hopes for Smith. Head coach Renee Slegers expressed confidence in Smith’s ability to contribute significantly to the team, praising her mentality and character.

Smith’s Ambition

Smith is eager to contribute to Arsenal’s legacy, expressing her excitement about competing for the biggest titles in England and Europe. This significant move marks a new chapter in her career and is a testament to her talent and potential.