Canada's Olivia Smith joins Arsenal in reported world-record transfer

Canadian forward Olivia Smith became the most expensive player in women's soccer history with a move to Champions League winners Arsenal.

Liverpool accepted an offer from their Women's Super League rivals worth £1 million ($1.3 million), sources told Emily Keogh of ESPN. That exceeds the previous record fee of $1.1 million, which was set in January when Chelsea bought American defender Naomi Girma from the NWSL's San Diego Wave.

"It's a privilege and an honor to sign for Arsenal," Smith said upon being unveiled by Arsenal. "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. The atmosphere the supporters create at Emirates Stadium is incredible and I can't wait to have that behind me now."

Smith can fulfill various attacking roles and scored seven of Liverpool's 22 goals during the 2024-25 Women's Super League campaign. The 20-year-old was named the Players' Player of the Year and the Players' Young Player of the Year by her teammates after her debut season with the club.

Smith became the youngest player ever to be called up to the Canadian women's team at the age of 15. She has since earned 18 caps, scoring three goals and assisting three times despite starting just seven matches.

Liverpool reportedly rejected numerous bids for Smith before succumbing to Arsenal's record-breaking proposal. The accepted offer is understood to be at least five times more than the £200,000 that Liverpool paid Sporting CP to sign Smith in July 2024.

"She's phenomenal. She gives us so much on the ball, but the work-rate off the ball is just as good," Liverpool's interim head coach Amber Whiteley said after Smith scored twice - including the women's team's first goal at Anfield - in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in March.