Olivia Smith has become the highest transfer fee in women’s football’s after Arsenal agreed a world-record deal worth £1 million to bring the 20‑year‑old Canadian forward from Liverpool. The move marks the first seven-figure fee in the women’s game (£s) — a landmark moment for the sport’s financial evolution.
Born in North York, Ontario, Smith rose through the ranks of Whitby SC, Penn State, and Sporting CP, before joining Liverpool in July 2024 for around £210,000. Known for her electrifying pace, sharp dribbling, and clinical finishing, she scored seven goals in 20 games last season — nearly one-third of Liverpool’s league tally — and was voted the club’s Player and young player of the Season.
At just 20, Smith already boasts 18 senior caps for Canada, having made her debut at 15 and has scored four goals for her country in 18 appearances. Her soon-to-be arrival at Arsenal, fresh off a Women’s Champions League win, signals both her personal rise and the growing financial muscle in the women’s club game
Olivia Smith: At a glance
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Clubs:
- 2022: North Toronto Nitros (11 app, 18 gls)
- 2023-24: Sporting CP (28 app, 16 gls),
- 2024-25:
- Liverpool (19 apps, 7 gls)
International: Debuted for Canada at 15; 18 senior caps, 4 goals
Honours:
- Liverpool Players’ Player of the Year: 2024–25
- Liverpool Players’ Young Player of the Year: 2024–25
- CONCACAF W Gold Cup Best Young Player: 2024
- Liga BPI Young Player of the Season: 2023–24
- L1O Forwards of the Year: 2022
- L1O Young Player of the Year (U20): 2022
- L1O First Team All-Star: 2022
- L1O Golden Boot: 2022
- Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year: 2019, 2024
Smith will soon complete her medical and personal terms before officially joining Arsenal. The deal not only sets a bold new club record — but signals a structural shift: the women’s transfer market now supports seven-figure valuations for top talent.
For Arsenal, adding Smith adds speed, finesse, and youth — a perfect fit for their next push in the WSL and Europe. For the broader football landscape, it sends a loud message: elite female players are worth significant investment, and the era of darker spending is well and truly over.
