Who Is Olivia Smith: Arsenal’s New Star Becomes World's Most Expensive Female Footballer

Olivia Smith, a Canadian forward, became the most expensive female footballer in history when Arsenal secured her for a record £1 million on July 17, 2025. This transfer shattered previous records, making her the sport’s first seven-figure player.

The move highlights Arsenal’s clear ambition in women's football as they set out to challenge Chelsea’s dominance in the Women’s Super League and defend their UEFA Champions League title. Smith joined Arsenal following a successful season with Liverpool.

From Whitby To World Stage: Smith’s Early Career

Smith was born in Whitby, Ontario, on August 5, 2004. Her mother, Sulee Riquelme-Smith, is of Peruvian descent, and her father is Sean Smith. She navigated the challenges of growing up in a predominantly white community while developing athletic talents across multiple sports.

She began playing football at age five through Whitby Iroquois SC’s house league, rapidly progressing through competitive clubs like Oshawa Kicks SC, Ajax SC, Markham FC, and North Toronto SC. This development led to her selection for Canada’s National Development Centre (NDC Ontario) programme, where her technical prowess and physicality caught national scouts' attention.

Family support proved foundational, with her father’s Liverpool fandom later influencing her professional path; her parents regularly travelled internationally to support her matches.

Smith’s amateur career accelerated dramatically during her 2022 season with North Toronto Nitros in League1 Ontario. At just 17, she dominated the league, scoring 18 goals in just 11 appearances. This performance earned her the Golden Boot, Forward of the Year, and Young Player of the Season honours.

Smith initially committed to Florida State University’s soccer programme but then pivoted to Penn State University. Her collegiate debut in September 2022 included a goal against Illinois Fighting Illini. However, her NCAA tenure proved brief.

Recognising her professional readiness, Smith forfeited her remaining eligibility after one season to pursue European opportunities. This decision coincided with her historic senior debut for Canada at just 15 years and 94 days in 2019, a record that underscored her precocious talent and set the stage for her inclusion in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad as its youngest member.

Making Waves At Liverpool

Smith transferred to Liverpool in July 2024; the club paid a then-record £200,000 for her services. Manager Matt Beard deployed her primarily as a right winger. She contributed significantly during a challenging Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign, scoring seven of Liverpool’s 22 league goals – nearly a third of their total output.

Her tenure included two historic Anfield moments: she became the first woman to score at the stadium in a 2–1 defeat to Manchester City, followed by a decisive brace against Manchester United during Liverpool’s inaugural women’s victory there. This prolific form attracted attention from top WSL clubs.

Liverpool reportedly rejected multiple bids before Arsenal's record offer. Smith later said her father’s lifelong support of Liverpool made her contributions there “very cool” professionally and personally.

Arsenal’s Record-Breaking Acquisition Signifies Ambition

Arsenal thus shattered the women’s football transfer record. The fee paid to sign Olivia Smith surpassed Chelsea’s £900,000 acquisition of Naomi Girma, making the Canadian youngster the first seven-figure player in the sport’s history. The four-year contract represented an £800,000 profit for Liverpool after just one season.

The signing clearly signalled Arsenal’s strong ambition to challenge Chelsea’s WSL dominance, following their UEFA Women’s Champions League triumph. Smith emphasised that the move aligned with her career philosophy, seeking growth through new coaches and environments. She called Arsenal, with its 15 English titles and continental pedigree, a “privilege” that fulfilled her dream of competing for elite trophies.

Manager Renee Slegers highlighted Smith’s mentality and rapid adaptation across European leagues as key factors. Slegers stated the signing demonstrated Arsenal’s “amplified intent” to build on their European success.

International Recognition And Rising Stature

Parallel to her club ascent, Smith’s international trajectory also accelerated following her senior debut as Canada’s youngest-ever player in 2019. Her inclusion in the 2023 World Cup squad at age 18 preceded a breakout performance at the 2024 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, where she scored twice in group-stage matches against El Salvador and Paraguay. She missed the quarter-final due to concussion protocol, but her contributions earned her the tournament’s Young Player Award – a recognition that cemented her “true breakout on the international stage.”

Though injury excluded her from the 2024 Olympic roster, she received the 2024 Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year honour. Smith’s international approach reflects her reverence for icon Christine Sinclair, whom she described as an “idol” from youth and a mentor during training sessions. Her rapid rise culminated in a 2025 PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year nomination, affirming her status as a transformative figure in Canadian football.