In January of this year, American defender Naomi Girma caused a stir when she joined Chelsea for a world record fee of $1.1 million, setting a new women’s football transfer record. Six months later, Canadian forward Olivia Smith broke that record. Arsenal signed her from Liverpool for $1.34 million.
The fee for the 20-year-old Canadian star has not been officially announced. However, citing multiple sources, the media outlet ‘The Guardian’ has reported that the figure is 1 million pounds. Which is the highest fee in the history of women’s football transfers. Just as Arsenal has set a world record, a large amount of profit has entered the pockets of Olivia Smith’s former club Liverpool.
Although several large offers have been made for this Canadian forward before, the Allreds have not responded to them. The profit that will be made from Olivia’s transfer will play a role in investing in renovating Liverpool’s squad. By releasing this footballer to Arsenal, the club has made a profit of 800,000 pounds. In July 2024, Olivia Smith joined Liverpool from Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon for 200,000 pounds. That was the Allreds’ record fee in women’s football.
In 2019, Olivia became the youngest player to make her debut for the Canadian women’s national team at the age of 15. She has played 25 games for Liverpool, scoring a club-high 9 goals. Arsenal were impressed by Smith’s performance and short experience, and agreed to make the club’s history-making moment possible. This has given Olivia the opportunity to earn a world-record fee at the age of just 20.
According to the BBC, Smith’s contract at Arsenal is currently for four years. After making history and joining Arsenal, Olivia said, “It’s a huge opportunity and an honour for me to be able to sign for Arsenal. It was a dream to play for the biggest champions in England and Europe. I’m thrilled to have fulfilled that. The atmosphere created by the fans at the Emirates Stadium is incredible, I can’t wait to play in front of them.”
Arsenal’s girls won the Champions League last season by defeating Barcelona. To maintain that consistency, they have further strengthened their squad. The initial step was to re-sign English star winger Chloe Kelly on a permanent deal. In addition, they have added former Liverpool assistant captain Taylor Hinds and 24-year-old German goalkeeper Anneke Barbi to the team on free transfers.
FAQ
Who is Olivia Smith?
Olivia Smith is a highly talented Canadian footballer known for her speed, creativity, and goal-scoring ability. She plays as an attacking midfielder or forward.
What club did Olivia Smith join?
Olivia Smith joined Arsenal Women’s Football Club in a record-breaking transfer deal.
Why is this transfer historic?
The transfer is historic because it made Olivia Smith the most expensive female footballer in history, breaking previous women’s football transfer records.
How much did Arsenal pay for Olivia Smith?
While the exact figure has not been officially confirmed, reports suggest Arsenal paid a record fee surpassing the previous highest amount in women’s football.