Arsenal Women Sign Olivia Smith in World-Record £1 Million Deal

Arsenal Women have reached a historic agreement with Liverpool to sign Canadian forward Olivia Smith for a world-record transfer fee of £1 million—the highest ever paid in women’s football.

The 20-year-old only joined Liverpool from Sporting Lisbon in 2024 for around £210,000 but quickly became a standout performer in the Women’s Super League, scoring 7 goals in 20 matches to finish as the club’s top scorer last season.

Despite interest from top European clubs including Chelsea and Lyon, Liverpool rejected multiple offers before finally accepting Arsenal’s record-breaking bid. Smith’s arrival is part of Arsenal’s ambitious summer rebuild following their UEFA Women’s Champions League triumph. She joins other new signings Chloe Kelly and Taylor Hinds as the club looks to challenge for the WSL title.

The deal surpasses the previous world-record fee of around £900,000 paid by Chelsea for U.S. defender Naomi Girma in January. Smith’s rise—from top scorer in the Portuguese league to Liverpool’s star forward—has drawn international attention.

Though the move is still subject to a medical and final personal terms, her signing marks a major milestone in women’s football, setting a precedent for future multi-million-pound transfers.

Smith’s addition not only strengthens Arsenal’s frontline but also highlights the club’s growing status as one of the most ambitious forces in the women’s game.