Olivia Smith becomes women’s football’s first £1million player in historic Arsenal move

Bente Baekers

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Olivia Smith becomes women’s football’s first £1million player in historic Arsenal move image

At just 20 years old, Canadian forward Olivia Smith has made history by joining Arsenal Women in a record-breaking transfer.

The reported £1 million fee surpasses the previous record held by Chelsea’s £890,000 acquisition of US defender Naomi Girma, making Smith the most expensive signing in women’s football to date.

This landmark transfer reflects the rapidly growing financial investment in the women’s game and signals that clubs are increasingly ready to pay top dollar for rising stars.

Who is Olivia Smith?

She made her senior debut for the Canada national team at just 15 — the youngest ever to do so. Last season, Smith impressed at Portuguese club Sporting CP, scoring 13 goals in 17 games.

Known for her speed, clinical finishing, and fearless style, she is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in women’s football.

Her move to the former Women’s Super League champions, is a clear statement of Arsenal's ambition to dominate domestically and in Europe.

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Beyond just the transfer fee, this deal highlights the growing value placed on female athletes at the highest level.

Smith’s historic signing marks a milestone for women’s football, showing that the game’s financial landscape is evolving alongside its quality and popularity.

As she prepares to make her North London debut, all eyes will be on the young forward who has already rewritten the record books.

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Bente Baekers

Bente Baekers is a journalist, content editor and professional field hockey player currently based in Australia. A graduate of Northwestern University, she has written for Business News in Perth and works as a content editor at LeadStory. Bente brings a unique blend of firsthand athletic experience with sharp editorial skills to her writing. She also runs ScholarShipped, helping Australian female athletes earn scholarships to play college sports in the U.S.