20-year-old Olivia Smith is picked up by Arsenal in a new record transfer.
Olivia’s youth career started in her home country, before spending time in the American college system. Her strong progress was soon recognized, and she signed her first professional contract with Sporting Clube in Portugal in July 2023.
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Olivia announced her arrival in Lisbon with a goal and an assist on her debut for the club, scoring a total of 16 goals in 28 appearances for Sporting during the 2023/24 season.
- Olivia is an exciting young player, and we think she can be very successful here at Arsenal,” says coach Renée Slegers.
Record transfer
Olivia Smith is leaving Liverpool after one season. She accounted for seven goals in 20 games in the Women’s Super League last year. Now it is clear that she will be an Arsenal player.
According to The Guardian, the transfer fee exceeds one million pounds – making it the first ever million transfer in British women’s football.
She finished the 2023/24 season as Liga BPI’s player of the season and young player of the season, and her reputation was cemented as one of the highest-rated young players in the sport.
A move to the United Kingdom and the Women’s Super League followed when Olivia completed a move to Liverpool in July 2024, where she scored nine goals in 25 appearances in all competitions for the Merseyside club last season.
There was more personal recognition for Olivia at the end of the season, as she was named Liverpool’s Player of the Season and was nominated for the Women’s Super League Rising Star award.
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Arsenal praise their new signing
Sports director Clare Wheatley says:
- We are incredibly happy to have Olivia at Arsenal. She is one of the most talented young players in the league and has enormous development potential. On behalf of the entire club, we welcome Olivia and congratulate her on this special moment.
Arsenal coach Renée Slegers adds:
- Olivia is an exciting young player, and we think she can make a big impression here. We have been impressed by her mentality and character. She has a level of ambition that matches our own.
Long-term contract
Arsenal state that Smith has signed a long-term deal, without specifying the exact contract period.
