Olivia Smith: Arsenal sign Liverpool striker for world-record women's transfer fee of £1m

Arsenal Women have completed the signing of striker Olivia Smith from Liverpool Women for a world-record fee of £1 million.

This transfer makes the 20-year-old Canadian international the first women's player to break the million-pound barrier, surpassing the previous record of £900,000 set by Chelsea's signing of Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave in January.

Smith featured in 20 Women's Super League (WSL) games for Liverpool last season, scoring seven of their 22 goals as the team finished seventh. Liverpool had signed her from Sporting Lisbon for a club-record £210,000 last summer, meaning they make a profit of just under £800,000 from the sale.

Expressing her excitement about the move, Smith stated it was a "privilege and an honour" to sign for Arsenal, calling it her "dream to compete for the biggest titles" in England and Europe. She specifically highlighted the "incredible" atmosphere created by supporters at Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool reportedly rejected multiple bids for Smith this summer from other WSL clubs and teams abroad before agreeing to the record deal with Arsenal.

Smith holds the distinction of becoming Canada's youngest-ever international player when she debuted aged 15 years and 94 days in 2019. She has since earned 18 caps for her country.