Arsenal Shatter Women's Football Transfer Record with Blockbuster Deal for Canadian Sensation
Featured in an early soccer photograph next to legendary international scorer Christine Sinclair, Olivia Smith likely never imagined she would one day break records herself.
However, the Canadian striker is poised to make history with a record-breaking transfer, according to The Guardian, as Arsenal prepares to pay the first £1 million (US $1.4 million) fee in women's soccer to acquire the 20-year-old from Liverpool before the upcoming Barclays Women's Super League campaign.
"During my childhood, women's soccer had limited television coverage, so I would search YouTube for clips of my heroes like Christine Sinclair and Marta," she shared with Canadian Soccer Daily in 2024. "The idea of playing professionally anywhere or joining the national squad seemed almost impossible."
Smith's rapid ascent in recent years has been swift yet anticipated, given her senior international debut at merely 15 years old, following her U-17 debut at age 12.
Following just one collegiate season at Penn State, she chose to turn professional with Portugal's Sporting CP, where she excelled in her inaugural pro campaign, netting 13 goals across 18 matches.
"My university attendance was solely for soccer," Smith explained to The Athletic, having endured an injury during her first season, though she had previously netted 18 goals in 11 League1 Ontario matches with North Toronto Nitros, Canada's premier semipro women's soccer division. "Since I couldn't play... It's remarkable that scouts noticed me in those few appearances."
Following her Portuguese success, Liverpool invested just over £200,000 (US $270,200) before the 2024-25 WSL season, bringing her to one of women's soccer's elite competitions.
Beginning at age 19, she rapidly established herself as a versatile striker with both physical presence and technical skill, capable of wing play, contributing seven goals in 20 appearances for the Merseyside team, helping secure seventh place in the WSL standings.
She is now positioned to surpass the £900,000 transfer that brought Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave to Chelsea earlier in 2025, as Arsenal prepares to pay a historic fee and assume her remaining contract obligations.
Smith Pursuing Greater Achievement in Second WSL Campaign
At Arsenal, Smith aims to quickly establish her position in the attacking formation while helping defend their UEFA Women's Champions League crown and improve upon their WSL runner-up finish. Reports indicate the North London club successfully outbid eight other suitors for the Canadian prospect.
Nevertheless, she will certainly be ready for increased physicality after being consistently targeted by opponents throughout the season, sustaining multiple minor injuries that sidelined her from several matches.
"Being targeted is annoying, but I somewhat relish it," she revealed to The Athletic. "That might sound completely crazy. But understanding that a defender's primary focus is containing me feels good. And it creates space for my teammates. In regular play, we don't generate enough chances. My ability to do that matters."
While financial specifics remain undisclosed, FIFA reported last March that women's professional players earn an annual average of only US $10,900, with Tier 1 leagues like the WSL and NWSL averaging over US $50,000 gross wages, with top salaries reaching approximately US $120,000.
Representing Canada, Smith has recorded three goals and three assists across 18 senior appearances and serves as a crucial component in preparations for the 2027 FIFA World Cup under newly appointed head coach and former England player Casey Stoney.
"Her ascent has been rapid. She's enjoyed an outstanding season. She's burst onto the stage. Sometimes development takes time, but not in her case. She's had an excellent Liverpool campaign. She's been aggressive; she's troubled opposing teams," Stoney commented about Smith, who earned Canada Soccer's Young Player of the Year honors in both 2019 and 2024.
"Next campaign, opponents will be more familiar with her abilities... they'll understand precisely what skills she possesses and what she contributes, so she'll need to adapt her approach accordingly."