Ex-Athlete Olivia Smith sets new marks in female soccer competitions
Olivia Smith, the 20-year-old Canadian international footballer, has made a historic move to Arsenal FC in a record-breaking transfer deal. This follows a successful stint at Liverpool FC Women, where she made a significant impact during the 2024-2025 season.
Smith joined Liverpool at the start of the season and quickly became the club's top scorer, netting nine goals in 25 appearances across all competitions. Her impressive performances earned her the Player of the Season award.
In July 2025, Arsenal signed Smith on a long-term contract for a reported world-record transfer fee in women's football. The deal, worth over £1 million, surpassed previous records, including the recent transfer of Naomi Girma to Chelsea for around £820,000.
The transfer was met with intense competition, with clubs such as Chelsea and OL Lyonnais submitting bids that Liverpool rejected before Arsenal matched the club's valuation and completed the signing.
Arsenal's manager, Renee Slegers, expressed her enthusiasm about Smith's potential contribution to the team. She praised Smith's mentality, character, and ambition, expressing confidence in her ability to help the club achieve success both domestically and in Europe.
Smith, for her part, expressed her excitement about joining Arsenal and her ambition to compete for major titles in England and Europe. She also looked forward to the support at the Emirates Stadium.
With this move, Smith has now signed for Arsenal for a four-season tenure, marking a significant step in her career and underscoring her growing stature in women's football.
Notably, Smith's versatility as a forward or winger adds an exciting dimension to Arsenal's attack. Her previous impressive season at Sporting, where she scored 16 goals in 28 games, is a testament to her potential.
This transfer also marks a new era in the financial landscape of women's football, with Smith becoming the first player to transfer for £1 million. Previously, the most expensive signing by an American football club was Naomi Girma, who was purchased by Bay FC for around 680,000 euros, with Rachael Kundananji being the Zambian forward bought for approximately 950,000 euros by Chelsea.
In conclusion, Olivia Smith's career progression has seen her rise through the ranks at Liverpool as a key player before securing a landmark transfer to Arsenal for a record fee, underscoring her growing stature in women's football.
Olivia Smith's impressive performances in football led her to sign for Arsenal FC in a record-breaking transfer deal, worth over £1 million, during the 2025 transfer window. Her versatility as a forward or winger adds an exciting dimension to Arsenal's attack, with her previous impressive season at Sporting, where she scored 16 goals in 28 games, showcasing her potential in European leagues, particularly the Premier League.
