Arsenal seal Olivia Smith signing from Liverpool as forward’s fee eclipses $1.1m paid by Chelsea for Girma.
Olivia Smith, a Canadian forward, completed her historic move from Liverpool to Arsenal, becoming the first £1 million deal in women’s football history.
In a historic milestone for the sport, the 20-year-old signed a four-year contract with the European champions. Although the sum is officially unknown, several sources claim it is the first time the game has ever reached the £1 million threshold, as revealed a week ago. The previous high was the $1.1 million Chelsea spent in January on US centre-back Naomi Girma.
Liverpool, which has made over £800,000 in profit since acquiring Smith from the Portuguese club Sporting in July 2024 for a club-record sum of just over £200,000, is rumoured to have accepted the seven-figure offer after turning down other bids. The club plans to reinvest the funds into the team.
Smith scored nine goals in 25 games for Liverpool in 2019, becoming him Canada’s youngest senior international at the age of 15.
“It’s a privilege and an honour to sign for Arsenal,” she told the club’s website. “It’s my dream to compete for the biggest titles here in England and in Europe and I’m excited to get started and contribute to doing that here with Arsenal. The atmosphere the supporters create at Emirates Stadium is incredible and I can’t wait to have that behind me.”
Arsenal’s director of women’s football, Clare Wheatley, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Olivia to Arsenal. She’s one of the most talented young players in the game and has huge potential for further development here.”
In an effort to strengthen their bid to win the Champions League again, Arsenal, who defeated Barcelona in the previous season’s final, has also signed 24-year-old German custodian Anneke Borbe, former Liverpool vice-captain Taylor Hinds, and England winger Chloe Kelly on free transfers.
Smith’s wealth of expertise at such a young age is said to have impressed Arsenal, who saw her signing as a significant milestone for the team.