Arsenal Football Club Signs Olivia Smith
Arsenal Football Club has officially announced the acquisition of Canadian international Olivia Smith, securing the young talent on a long-term deal. This monumental signing is reported to have resulted in a record-breaking fee for women’s football, marking a significant milestone as it exceeds £1 million, making it the highest transfer sum ever recorded in the women’s game.
Smith’s Impressive Background
The 20-year-old forward’s transfer comes on the heels of her impressive stint with Liverpool, where she established herself as a formidable presence. Reports suggest that Arsenal aligned with Liverpool’s valuation, which had been steadfast throughout the negotiation process. Previous offers from Chelsea and OL Lyon had been turned down before Arsenal ultimately decided to meet the asking price.
“It’s a privilege and an honour to sign for Arsenal. I’ve dreamt of playing for the biggest titles in both England and Europe, and I’m thrilled to get started and help achieve that here. The atmosphere from the supporters at Emirates Stadium is phenomenal, and I can’t wait to have their backing.”
In her previous season at Liverpool, which began last year, Smith finished as the club’s top scorer, netting nine goals in 25 matches across all competitions. In recognition of her exceptional performance, she was also honored as Liverpool’s Player of the Season. Before her time in England, she had made her mark in Portugal with Sporting CP, scoring 16 goals in 28 appearances during her debut season there.
International Career
At the age of just 15, Smith made history as Canada’s youngest-ever player in 2019, and since then, she has accumulated 18 caps and scored four goals on the international stage.
Manager’s Perspective
Arsenal manager Renée Slegers acknowledged Smith’s potential, stating,
“Olivia represents an exciting opportunity for our squad. We have been consistently impressed with her performance, mentality, and the fact that she has excelled across two European leagues at such a young age. Her ambitions resonate with our own goals, and we eagerly anticipate her growth here at Arsenal as we build upon our Champions League victory last season.”
The Gunners are actively looking to enhance their squad depth, targeting younger players to balance the team’s age profile as they strive for continued success in domestic and European competitions.
