The 21-year-old Canadian becomes the first £1m women’s footballer, shattering records and defying expectations

Olivia Smith, the 21-year-old Canadian forward, has made history by becoming the first £1m women’s footballer. The Arsenal star’s transfer from Liverpool in July broke the world record, a title she held for just 35 days before being surpassed by Lizbeth Ovalle’s £1.1m move to Orlando Pride. However, Smith’s achievement will forever be etched in the annals of women’s football, marking a milestone in the sport’s rapid growth and recognition.

Smith’s journey to the top began at a young age, with her parents, Sean and Sulee Riquelme-Smith, playing a crucial role in her development. They encouraged her to pursue her passion for football, as well as other sports like hockey and martial arts, which helped her develop discipline and mental toughness. Smith’s dedication and hard work paid off, as she made her debut for Canada at just 15 years old and went on to play for Penn State University and Sporting in Portugal.

During her time at Penn State, Smith faced a significant challenge when she suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury at the Under-20 World Cup. Despite this setback, she persevered and continued to work towards her goal of becoming a professional footballer. Her determination and resilience earned her a place in the hearts of her coaches and teammates, who praised her for her ability to overcome adversity.

Smith’s move to Sporting in 2022 was a significant step in her career, with her scoring 18 goals in 11 games and helping the team win the League1 Ontario title. Her impressive performances caught the attention of top clubs in Europe, with Liverpool eventually signing her for a club record fee of £210,000. Smith’s time at Liverpool was marked by impressive performances, with her scoring seven goals in 20 games and being named the PFA young player of the year.

However, Smith’s time at Liverpool was short-lived, and she made the move to Arsenal this summer, citing the need to be comfortable with uncertainty and the desire to continue growing as a player. The transfer fee of £1m was a significant one, but Smith remains humble and focused on her goals. “It’s definitely an honour, especially coming from Liverpool,” she said. “To come with, obviously, such a hefty price tag for such a young player like me, I think they see the potential that I have, and they see my mindset.”

Those who have worked with Smith believe that her talent and work ethic will justify the price tag, and that she will continue to push herself to be the best player she can be. “She just had everything at that age,” said Matt Beard, Smith’s former coach at Liverpool. “For me, she’s going to be the best player in the world without a shadow of a doubt.”

Smith’s coach at Arsenal, Ben Haines, expressed confidence in her ability to adapt and thrive in the team, saying that she will keep pushing herself to be the best player she can be. “Olivia is an incredible talent and an even more incredible person,” Haines said. “She has the ability to learn and adapt quickly, and I have no doubt that she will be a key player for us this season.”

With her arrival at Arsenal, Smith has the luxury of having more than a year with the team, allowing her to settle in and continue to grow as a player. Her teammates and coaches are excited to see what she can achieve, and Smith herself is eager to prove herself as a top player in the women’s game.

Smith’s story is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and determination, and serves as an inspiration to young players around the world. As she continues to break records and defy expectations, one thing is certain: Olivia Smith is a force to be reckoned with in the world of women’s football.

Key Statistics:

Age: 21

Nationality: Canadian

Position: Forward

Club: Arsenal

Transfer Fee: £1m

Previous Clubs: Liverpool, Sporting, Penn State University

Debut: 15 years old (Canada)

Goals: 18 (League1 Ontario), 7 (Liverpool)

Awards: PFA young player of the year