Olivia Smith transfer: Who is Arsenal’s new forward and why did she cost a record-breaking £1m? | Football News

Olivia Smith is a relatively new name in the Ladies Premier League scene. Liverpool lovers may be familiar, and those who follow sports in Portugal may be familiar with. However, in general, this is not a player with a star’s position. Everything is about to change.

Olivia Smith. Remember that. The Canadian striker is about to become the most recent player in the circle.

The 20 -year -old, who turned into a professional only in 2023, became the first player to obtain a million pounds of transfer fees, and the signing of Liverpool from Liverpool in a deal that recently crashed through a very expected glass ceiling.

This is the shift that would spark the headlines. Teacher moment for women’s game, and a long time in making. Observers will ask, to some extent, about the reason that took a long time to get here, 46 years after the first soccer player in Britain, Trevor Francis, by Nottingham Forest.

But this investigation will not only detract from the most relevant curiosity. Smith is not (yet) a familiar name. It is not a synonym for Aitana Bonmatis or Sam Kerrs in this world. Her career in WSL is only 1578 minutes.

How and why, then, Arsenal is sprayed a lot of money to sign it? Is this development a real game? Sky Sports It goes deep into the wonderful background of Smith and what it means to move the major money for the competitors of WSL.

Who is Smith?

Liverpool broke the bank to sign Smith, born and grew up in the Canadian province of Ontario, from sport last summer.

She achieved her penetration in Portugal, where she scored and helped her appearance for the first time in Liga BPI before contributing in 13 goals in 18 games.

But the teenager was more than scorer. Fear and crude is not known, Smith was identified as a striker who can walk, carry, create and help. It has energy and speed for burning. On the ball it is progressive, motivated by possession, you press and win the jokes. What do you like?

Liverpool saw an opportunity. In July 2024, they separated with standard fees of the club of 210,000 pounds to bring them to WSL – and they recover nearly five times this number after only 12 months. Smart works.

Smith was one of the most prominent events in the amazing Liverpool season. She soon proved that she was a player in the big moments as well, as she scored to beat Manchester United in Anfield and Arsenal’s stay in the FA Cup. Something about this show caught your attention. It will only improve surrounded by the best players.

Arsenal power played

Step aside, Chelsea. Arsenal make moves.

It should not be underestimated to become the first women’s team to sign a player for one million pounds. It comes to prestige and status as much as it is related to adding a young man with a global level capabilities.

Perhaps the most surprising thing in this penetration is the lowest fees, or the player who leads them (large large money costs), but the club that makes him happen.

Arsenal makes their intentions known. This is the pressure. Shaqkat.

To overcome Chelsea to this achievement, the club’s board will not satisfy. At the local level, they were in the shadows of their competitors in West London for years, allowing them to win six titles on the successive WSL while they were only raising the League Cup. As the achievements go, the two are not matched.

But under Slegers Renee, Arsenal is encouraged. They dared to dream about another European winning medal (the only English club to win the competition) and they already did so. It is amazing what the Champions League title can do for reputation and arrangement. Such a statement only signs adds to the last victory atmosphere.

Chelsea spending that changes the market from Chelsea – to buy Naomi Jerma and Keira Walsh for a total of 1.29 million pounds – clubs wondering how they can compete. Such expenditures are 70 percent of the English market and more than a quarter (28 percent) of money spent worldwide in that window.

Arsenal is the first to give a real response. They want a suitable seat on the table.

Well, where does Smith already fit?

Smithm is multi -use and can play as a central striker, not 10 or outside. It fits Arsenal’s expansion style completely. Only four players at WSL at WSL tried more shots last season: khadja shaw (52), Frida Maanum (57), Elisabeth Tend (65) and Alicia Rousseau (73).

But its ability to carry the ball is the most distinctive and most exciting.

Last season, Russo (21) scored only more final campaigns than Smith (20), while it was also ranked fifth to carry the progressive ball between all the attackers and wings. Of the 10 most abundant players to move, it achieved the best success rate at 57.4 percent.

It is equally difficult to get rid of it – only Vivian Asasi (51 years old) has been subjected to mistakes more than 46 Smith. Her 21st properties ranked third in the league.

However, Smith offers a clear dilemma for treatment. Not to mention the weight of international standard fees on the young shoulders. The price of 1 million pounds is undesirable for sure, a 20 -year -old -year -old?

Perhaps it is more stressful for Slegers, although Smith may replace it. It played 62 percent of the league minutes in the number 9 last season, but Rousseau is unlikely to be angry. The right wing? Chloe Kelly and Bath Meed dominate there.

Such a high investment based on the bench may also be a problem.

Ultimately, if Arsenal wants to overcome Chelsea for the WSL crown for the next year, they need the depth of a group capable of challenging multiple fronts. Could this be the beginning of the mission of bridging the gap at the top? It definitely helps. But do not be surprised by the vision of Chelsea champions somewhat.