Arsenal confirmed the signing of Canada worldwide Olivia Smith on a long-term contract, with sources telling ESPN that it’s a world-record payment and the primary £1 million switch in girls’s soccer.
Sources have informed ESPN that the 20-year-old’s transfer to the Champions League winners — who matched Liverpool‘s world-record expectations — is greater than the most up-to-date file, Naomi Girma to Chelsea for $1.1m (£820k).
Sources informed ESPN that Liverpool stood agency on their valuation and had been reluctant to let the younger participant go. Presents under Liverpool’s calls for had been refused, with Chelsea, OL Lyonnes and Arsenal having bids rejected earlier than the north London membership matched the excessive worth.
“It is a privilege and an honor to signal for Arsenal,” Smith informed membership media. “It is my dream to compete for the most important titles right here in England and in Europe and I am excited to get began and contribute to doing that right here with Arsenal.
“The environment the supporters create at Emirates Stadium is unbelievable and I can not wait to have that behind me now.”
Smith joined Liverpool initially of final season, ending her first marketing campaign because the membership’s prime scorer with 9 targets in 25 appearances in all competitions for the Merseyside membership. She was additionally named their Participant of the Season.
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Arsenal boss Renée Slegers added: “Olivia is an thrilling younger participant and we imagine she will be able to make an enormous contribution right here at Arsenal. We have been impressed by her mentality and character, excelling in two European leagues at such a younger age. I do know she has a stage of ambition that matches our personal and we’re trying ahead to working along with her as she continues to develop on the membership.”
Previous to becoming a member of Liverpool, Smith spent a season in Portugal with Sporting CP, ending her debut marketing campaign with 16 targets in 28 appearances earlier than transferring to the Ladies’s Tremendous League.
At worldwide stage, Smith turned Canada‘s youngest-ever participant when she gained her first cap on the age of 15 in 2019. Up to now, she has made 18 appearances and scored 4 targets for Canada.
Arsenal had been eager to capitalize on their Champions League win, and wished to increase their squad following Sleger’s first season in cost. A supply added that the membership had been additionally eager to usher in a younger participant to attract the general squad age profile down.
