Arsenal Sets Record With Olivia Smith Signing

Arsenal have signed Canadian forward Olivia Smith from Sporting CP for a record-breaking £1 million ($1.34 million), making her the most expensive player in women's football history. Smith, 20, previously impressed in the U.S. college system and scored prolifically in Portugal before becoming Canada’s youngest-ever senior international at age 15. Her transfer surpasses the previous women's football record set by Naomi Girma’s move to Chelsea earlier in 2025. Smith, who earned Sporting CP's Player of the Season honors, is expected to be a key addition to Arsenal’s ambitions in domestic and European competitions. The deal underscores the rapid growth and increasing investment in women’s football, with transfer records being broken frequently since 2020. Arsenal's acquisition of Smith is seen as a declaration of their intent to compete at the highest level.