Arsenal women have signed striker Olivia Smith of Liverpool women for a world record compensation of £ 1 million.
The 20-year-old will be the first women's player to surpass the barrier by seven digits, making the £ 900,000 ($ 1.1 million) Chelsea in January San Diego Wave for Naomi Girma.
Smith played in 20 WSL matches last season and scored seven of Liverpool's 22 goals when they finished seventh in the competition.
Laverpool paid a club record £ 210,000 last summer to sign Smith from Sporting Lisbon, which means that they have made a profit of slightly less than £ 800,000.
“It's a privilege and an honor to sign for Arsenal,” said Smith. “It is my dream to fight to get the biggest titles here in England and in Europe and I am excited to get started and to contribute to Arsenal. The atmosphere that the supporters create at Emirates Stadium is incredible and I can't wait to have that behind me now.”
The Reds are supposed to have rejected several bids for Smith this summer of clubs in the Women's Super League and abroad.
In 2019, Smith, 15 years and 94 days, became the youngest person who played for Canada. She is deserved 18 caps for her country.
Arsenal continued to add to their team after their Women's Champions League triumph in May. They have already signed Chloe Kelly on a permanent deal, as well as former Liverpool defender Taylor Hinds on a free transfer.
“Olivia is an exciting young player and we believe that she can make a major contribution here at Arsenal,” said head coach Renee Slesers of the new signing.
“We are impressed by her mentality and character, exciting in two European competitions at such a young age. I know that she has a level of ambition that corresponds to ours and we look forward to working with her while she continues to grow in the club.”
Arsenal makes moving to rival Chelsea
Analysis of Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
This monument has long been in the making. What is surprising is that the Arsenal destroys the proverbial glass ceiling, not Chelsea.
The blues have traditionally had the deepest pockets of a WSL club and are not afraid to splash cash. The £ 890,000 ($ 1.1 million) deal for defender Naomi Girma in January was proof of that – let's not forget that they have signed Keira Walsh in the same window for another six -digit sum.
Now Arsenal steps on the table, stimulated by their new status as European champions. The next step is of course to Usurp Chelsea, which completed their six-pit last season, at the top of the WSL. Transfer business focused on achieving that is smart and fast this summer.
It agreed from deals with Chloe Kelly and left back Taylor Hinds, both on free transfers, was a promising start. But conquering Olivia Smith for a world record compensation is a clear marker for amplified intention. The club supports Renee Sleesers to use the momentum of the Champions League triumph to create a takeover.
Chelsea has left Chelsea in domestic terms for many years. They have lived in the shadow of their rivals in West Londs. Have the scales just tipped in the favor of the Gunners?