• Olivia Smith joins Arsenal for a record £1 million, becoming the first female player to break the seven-figure transfer barrier.
• The 20-year-old Canadian forward previously excelled at Liverpool, finishing as their leading scorer.
• This transfer surpasses the previous women's transfer record held by Chelsea's Naomi Girma at £900,000.

Canadian forward Olivia Smith has made history by becoming the first female footballer to transfer for a fee of £1 million ($1.34 million) as she signs with Arsenal from Liverpool. The 20-year-old completed the transfer on Thursday, shattering the previous women's transfer record set by Chelsea's Naomi Girma earlier this year for £900,000, according to BBC, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

Smith, who made her international debut at the age of 15, expressed her excitement about joining Arsenal, stating, “It’s a privilege and an honour to sign for Arsenal... I’m excited to get started and contribute to doing that here.” She concluded her season at Liverpool as the club's leading scorer, despite the team finishing seventh in the Women's Super League, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

This landmark transfer reflects the increasing financial investments in women's football, as clubs such as Arsenal aim for elite competitiveness in both England and Europe. “She’s one of the most talented young players in the game,” noted Clare Wheatley, Arsenal's director of women's football, highlighting Smith's potential for growth, according to BBC and Reuters.