Olivia Smith, creating history for women’s football! She recently became the first female player to have a £1 million transfer fee paid, joining Arsenal from Liverpool. Beyond being an extraordinary accomplishment, this is a historic moment for Smith. Beyond attendance and ratings, perhaps no factor is more clear than the increasing recognition of talent in women’s sports. Only one year ago, Liverpool paid a club-record £210,000 to sign her. This move now serves as a backdrop to the new forward’s meteoric ascent to the upper echelon of the soccer universe.
At just 15 years and 94 days old, Smith became the youngest player to feature for Canada’s senior national team in 2019. That early start on the world stage made all the difference, paving the way for a great career to come. Since then, she has demonstrated her skills as a versatile forward capable of dribbling, carrying the ball, creating opportunities, and assisting her teammates. Smith’s fearless and raw talent have made her the breakout star of 2023 for both viewers and metrics analysts.
A Breakthrough in Portugal
Smith’s big break was in Portugal, as she hit the ground running in the Liga BPI. In her debut, she notched a goal and an assist. She established her tendency to take over games from the very beginning. In her first season with F.C. Motengrat, she reached a remarkable tally of 13 goals in 18 matches. Her outstanding goal-scoring performance continued throughout the year.
Her presence in this league mattered for a few different reasons. Smith was fouled 46 times the entire season, cementing him with the second-most in the entire league. That left him trailing Viviane Asseyi as the second-leading goal-scorer. On top of that, she won 21 possessions in the attacking third, good for seventh-best across all players. These statistics illustrate her impact on the game offensively. They further emphasize her assertive approach to defense and knack for regaining possession.
Smith’s success did not go unnoticed. Her ability to challenge defenders and create scoring opportunities made her a sought-after player, ultimately leading to her transfer to Liverpool in July 2024.
Impressive Performance in WSL
In her first Women’s Super League (WSL) season with Liverpool, she maintained that form by netting seven goals. Most impressive, she was +2.6 on her expected goals (xG), meaning she was turning chances into goals at a much higher rate than would be expected. This amazing achievement further emphasizes her ability to finish and stay cool under pressure with the ball in the net.
Versatility is perhaps the biggest signature of Smith’s accomplishments. She’s a really versatile attacking talent who can play as a lone central striker, in the No 10 role or out wide. Her willingness to go with the flow is what makes her such an amazing asset to her teams. Tactically, coaches use her strengths in a variety of formations and tactics.
Smith’s stats only add to her importance on the field. She notably completed a very high 57.4% success rate on take-ons. This effort places her as the most efficient of the league’s top ten most prolific players. Only four players attempted more shots than she did last season: Khadija Shaw, Frida Maanum, Elisabeth Terland, and Alessia Russo. This variance of shooting quantity and quality puts Smith on a similar playing field as some of the world’s best forwards in women’s football.
Record-Setting Transfer and Future Prospects
Smith’s move to Arsenal represents a vital inflection point for her professional journey. Jointly, this transfer represents a cultural and developmental leap forward for women’s football across the board. It is a reflection of the growing financial and organizational commitment that clubs are investing in producing female talents. As a result, Liverpool is bringing back almost five times their upfront investment within the first year. This record-setting return further underscores the immense growth and profitability potential within women’s sports.
Smith’s performances have included scoring crucial goals in high-stakes matches, such as those against Manchester United at Anfield and Arsenal during FA Cup fixtures. These moments have made her a household name, and cemented her place as a rising star and player to watch going forward.
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