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View image in fullscreenArsenal complete world-record £1m Olivia Smith signing from Liverpool

Forward’s fee eclipses $1.1m paid by Chelsea for Girma

Canadian describes move to Arsenal as ‘an honour’

The first £1m transfer in women’s football has been completed after the Canada forward Olivia Smith concluded her record-breaking move from Liverpool to Arsenal.

The 20-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the European champions and, although the fee is officially undisclosed, multiple sources say it is the game’s first to reach the £1m mark, as revealed by the Guardian a week ago, in a historic moment for the sport.

The previous highest was the $1.1m (£890,000) paid by Chelsea for the US centre-back Naomi Girma in January.

Women’s transfer window summer 2025: all deals from world’s top six leaguesRead more

Liverpool are understood to have accepted the seven-figure offer after rejecting several bids and the club intend to reinvest the money into the squad, having made about £800,000 in profit since signing Smith for a club-record fee of just over £200,000 from the Portuguese club Sporting in July 2024.

Smith, who in 2019 became Canada’s youngest senior international at the age of 15, scored nine goals in 25 appearances for Liverpool.

“It’s a privilege and an honour to sign for Arsenal,” she told the club’s website.

“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.”

Arsenal’s director of women’s football, Clare Wheatley, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Olivia to Arsenal.

She’s one of the most talented young players in the game and has huge potential for further development here.”

Arsenal, who beat Barcelona in last season’s Champions League final and are attempting to add strength for their attempt to defend that title, have also signed the England winger Chloe Kelly, the former Liverpool vice-captain Taylor Hinds and the 24-year-old German goalkeeper Anneke Borbe, all on free transfers.

Arsenal are understood to have been impressed by the extensive experience Smith has accumulated at such a relatively young age and regard her signing as a major moment for the club.

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The head coach, Renée Slegers, said: “Olivia is an exciting young player and we believe she can make a big contribution here at Arsenal.

We’ve been impressed by her mentality and character, excelling in two European leagues at such a young age.
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