Arsenal signs Smith in record for women's soccer

Arsenal person confirmed the signing of Canada planetary Olivia Smith connected a semipermanent contract, with sources telling ESPN that it is simply a world-record interest and the archetypal £1 cardinal transportation successful women's football.

Sources person told ESPN that the 20-year-old's determination to the Champions League winners -- who matched Liverpool's satellite grounds expectations -- is higher than the most caller record, Naomi Girma to Chelsea for $1.1m (£820k).

Sources told ESPN that Liverpool stood steadfast connected their vaulation and were reluctant to fto the young subordinate go. Offers beneath Liverpool's demands were refused, with Chelsea, OL Lyonnes and Arsenal having bids rejected earlier the northbound London nine matched the precocious value.

"It's a privilege and an honour to motion for Arsenal," Smith told nine media. "It's my imagination to vie for the biggest titles present successful England and successful Europe and I'm excited to get started and lend to doing that present with Arsenal.

"The ambiance the supporters make astatine Emirates Stadium is unthinkable and I can't hold to person that down maine now."

Smith joined Liverpool astatine the commencement of past season, ending her archetypal run arsenic the club's apical scorer with 9 goals successful 25 appearances successful each competitions for the Merseyside club. She was besides named their Player of the Season.

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Arsenal brag Renée Slegers added: "Olivia is an breathtaking young subordinate and we judge she tin marque a large publication present astatine Arsenal. We've been impressed by her mentality and character, excelling successful 2 European leagues astatine specified a young age. I cognize she has a level of ambition that matches our ain and we're looking guardant to moving with her arsenic she continues to turn astatine the club."

Prior to joining Liverpool, Smith spent a play successful Portugal with Sporting CP, ending her debut run with 16 goals successful 28 appearances earlier moving to the Women's Super League.

At planetary level, Smith became Canada's youngest-ever subordinate erstwhile she won her archetypal headdress astatine the property of 15 successful 2019. To date, she has made 18 appearances and scored 4 goals for Canada.

Arsenal were keen to capitalise connected their Champions League win, and wanted to grow their squad pursuing Sleger's archetypal play successful charge. A root added that the nine were besides keen to bring successful a young subordinate to gully the wide squad property illustration down.