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Jul 17, 2025, 05:00 AM ET

Arsenal have announced the arrival of 20-year-old forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool for a women's world-record transfer fee.

The Canada international is the first woman to break the £1 million barrier ($1.36 million), surpassing the previous record set by Chelsea's £900,000 ($1.1 million) transfer of USWNT defender Naomi Girma in January, and the Gunners have added another player to their ranks since winning the UEFA Women's Champions League in May after the signings of Chloe Kelly and Taylor Hinds.

In 2019, Smith made headlines by becoming the youngest senior Canada international at 15 years and 94 days.



After moving from North Toronto Nitros, Smith's breakthrough came for Sporting CP during her first professional season in 2023-24 as she scored 13 goals in 18 appearances.

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In summer 2024, Liverpool signed her for a club-record fee of just over £200,000, and she scored seven times in 20 Women's Super League appearances -- almost a third of the club's total goals last season.

Here is a look at why Arsenal decided to spend big to sign her.

What position does she play?Arsenal have paid Liverpool a women's world-record transfer fee to sign Olivia Smith. Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Smith is a right-footed winger who primarily operates on the right side; although, she is capable of playing through the middle as a central striker.

During the 2024-25 season, she largely played as a part of a front two in Liverpool's 3-5-2 formation, or as the right winger in their 4-2-3-1 setup.

Either way, she was awarded freedom to move around up front and often dropped deeper to receive the ball with her back to goal, before turning and running at her opponents.

What are her strengths?

Her primary strengths lie in her dribbling ability.

The winger played for a Liverpool side that averaged 47.4% possession last season and relied on opportunities in transition, often against unsettled defenses with yards of space to run into.

However, the Gunners averaged the second-highest possession in the WSL last season (62.5%) and constantly faced defenses set up in a low block with players behind the ball.

While Smith's quick-footed nature is a major part of her dribbling armory, the lack of space in behind might hinder the impact of her overall dribbling, which could result in some unwanted turnovers and a slight drop in her dribble success rate.

How will Smith fit in with Arsenal's tactical plan?

Renée Slegers retained some key aspects of Jonas Eidevall's tactics after taking over from him in October, but she also added her own spin.

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And, among forwards, only Manchester United's Celin Bizet (98), Chelsea's Kaneryd (90) and Asseyi (88) made more ball recoveries than Smith (77) last season.

Why did Arsenal want her?

Aside from adding a young player of considerable quality, Arsenal had the second-oldest squad in the WSL last season (27.6 years of age), behind only Aston Villa (27.7).

Indeed, she joins Kyra Cooney-Cross, Rosa Kafaji and Frida Maanum among the players who recently arrived at the club age 21 or younger.

At 20, she brings down the average age in attack, adding depth and should also be eligible for a homegrown slot in the next couple of seasons, which will help Arsenal with player registration.

While her world-record transfer fee might weigh heavy on her shoulders, Smith seems capable of carrying it and has already proven how effective she can be in the WSL.


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