Olivia Smith becomes women’s football’s first £1m signing as Arsenal complete record transfer from Liverpool
The Canadian International played just one season for Liverpool, where she was awarded the player of the season before European champions made her their top priority.
Canada's Olivia Smith tries a shot during the international women's friendly soccer match between Canada and South Korea at the Pinatar Arena Football Center in Murcia, Spain, on Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Macia Martinez, File) The first £1m transfer in women’s football has been completed with Arsenal completing the formalities to sign Canadian forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool. The European champions move to sign the 20-year-old, who has become the first to break the seven-figure barrier, eclipses the £900,000 that Chelsea paid to acquire American defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave in January.
The first player in men’s football to command a million-pound price tag was former England forward Trevor Francis when he moved from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest in 1979. But the figure seemed too far before Arsenal made the record signing.
“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,” Smith said in a statement.
Share
