Arsenal sign Olivia Smith on a record-breaking fee of £1m

Arsenal have just completed a world-record signing of Olivia Smith worth £1million. The 20-year-old forward has reportedly signed a four-year-deal with the reigning Champions League winners. Liverpool originally signed her for £200,000 in July 2024, meaning they've made a five-fold return in just one year. Breaking the million-pound barrier for the first time marks a major milestone in the investment and growth of top-tier women's football. It surpasses the previous record fee of £900,000 paid by Chelsea for Naomi Girma in January 2025.

📸via arsenal.com

Arsenal's Strategic Statement:

Arsenal are pushing for more silverware this season and are doubling down with significant investment to stay at the top. Smith represents both an immediate boost in quality and a long-term asset. At just 20, she brings high potential, with plenty of room to grow and improve.

Player Profile:

Smith scored 7 goals in 20 league appearances, nearly a third of Liverpool's total, and won several player awards during her time at the club. She is versatile, capable of playing both as a central striker and on the wing, perfect for Renée Slegers' tactical flexibility. Her strengths include high work rate, dribbling ability, shot volume, and winning fouls in the final third, all metrics Arsenal clearly value.

For Liverpool and the Market:

For Liverpool, the fee represents an impressive return on their investment and provides an opportunity to reinvest in the squad after a disappointing season. Across the sport, this marks another step in the growing professionalisation and marketisation of women's football, with transfer records now being broken within the space of just a few months.

What this move means for Arsenal:

For Arsenal, it's a bold statement of intent, investing heavily to defend their Champions League title and reshape the squad with youth and quality.

For Olivia Smith, this is a career-defining moment. Will it prove to be the right move? She's joining a top club where she can compete in both England and Europe while continuing to grow and develop.

For women's football, it's a landmark moment, highlighting the sport's increasing commercial value and global visibility.