Canadian forward Olivia Smith has become the most expensive signing in women's football history, with the 20-year-old, who made her international debut at 15, completing a £1m move to Arsenal from Liverpool on a four-year deal with the Champions League holders.
With the current world record being the £900,000 Chelsea paid to sign United States defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave, the deal for the 20-year-old Canada international surpasses that - subject to a medical and personal terms being agreed. Smith, who joined Liverpool from Portuguese side Sporting last summer for a club-record fee of just over £200,000 in July 2024, scored seven times in 20 WSL appearances in her debut season, and played 18 times for Canada - scoring four goals.
With her bringing pace and directness to Arsenal's attacking line-up, the north London club have also signed Chloe Kelly on a free transfer from Manchester City, as well as former Liverpool left-back Taylor Hinds. Former Manchester City and England midfielder Izzy Christiansen, reacted to the record fee, saying: “The deal is massive.
"She’s going to a good club. At Arsenal she would have competition with a star-studded forward line including Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord, Katie McCabe, Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius.
"It is some fee and quite something for the women's game and I think this is Arsenal adding layers to a Champions League-winning squad who will want to go and do it again and I'm sure that, without doubt, they’ll be going the WSL at full-throttle.
"I'm sure it is a project for the near future in an Arsenal shirt.”
