Canadian soccer star Olivia Smith, 20, is set to become the first woman to command a record-setting transfer fee as Liverpool has accepted a £1 million ($1.4 million) offer from Arsenal for her services.
Per the Guardian, Liverpool signed Smith, who is of Jamaican, Chilean, and Peruvian descent, in 2024 from Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon for £200,000 (around $270,000). She featured in 20 matches for Liverpool in last season’s Women’s Super League, and she scored seven goals. Liverpool finished the season in 7th position.
Smith is said to be a versatile player as she can play in the striking position or on the flanks. And though her contract with Liverpool was expected to last for multiple years, Arsenal was willing to sign her by agreeing to pay the record-breaking fee.
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Arsenal securing Smith’s services reportedly came after several other clubs attempted to sign her, which Liverpool initially turned down. Smith is set to add more fire and depth to Arsenal, which won last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Besides Smith, Arsenal have also signed Chloe Kelly from Manchester City and Taylor Hinds from Liverpool. But unlike the 20-year-old, they signed Kelly and Hinds on a free transfer.
American center-back Naomi Girma previously held the record as the most expensive women’s soccer player after Chelsea secured her services for $1.1m in January. Before her, it was Zambian star Racheal Kundananji as Bay FC reportedly signed her for $860,000 from Madrid CFF in 2024, the Guardian reported.
