Arsenal sign Liverpool’s Smith in women’s world record deal

Canada’s Olivia Smith tries a shot during the international women’s friendly match against South Korea at the Pinatar Arena Football Center in Murcia, Spain, on Dec. 3, 2024. (AP/File)
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Updated 17 July 2025
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Arsenal sign Liverpool’s Smith in women’s world record deal

  • Smith has joined the Champions League holders on a lucrative four-year contract
  • She moved to Liverpool from Portugal’s Sporting for just £200,000 in 2024

LONDON: Arsenal signed Canada forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool in a deal worth a reported women’s world record fee of £1 million ($1.3 million) on Thursday.

Smith has joined the Champions League holders on a lucrative four-year contract.

The 20-year-old’s transfer surpassed the previous women’s record set when Chelsea signed Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for £900,000 in January.

“It’s my dream to compete for the biggest titles here in England and in Europe and I’m excited to get started and contribute to doing that here with Arsenal,” Smith said.

Smith moved to Liverpool from Portugal’s Sporting for just £200,000 in 2024, scoring seven goals in 20 Women’s Super League games.

Liverpool are understood to have accepted the record offer after rejecting several bids for Smith, who made her Canada debut aged 15 in 2019.

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers said: “Olivia is an exciting young player and we believe she can make a big contribution here at Arsenal.

“We’ve been impressed by her mentality and character, excelling in two European leagues at such a young age.”


Real Madrid lose second straight and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona

Updated 03 March 2026
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Real Madrid lose second straight and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona

  • Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga

MADRID: Real Madrid lost a second straight La Liga match when a stunning volley from Martín Satriano gave Getafe a shock 1-0 win at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Monday.
The result prevented the capital club from cutting the four-point gap to leader Barcelona.
Getafe had lost all eight of its previous league encounters with Real Madrid and early saves from goalkeeper David Soria kept it from falling behind.
Soria turned over a shot from Arda Güler midway through the first half, not long after frustrating Vinicius Junior when he was through on goal.
Madrid had more of the ball but lacked punch up front and it paid a price for its profligacy six minutes before halftime when Getafe took the lead.
A hopeful cross from the right was headed clear but it fell to the feet of Satriano, who volleyed into the roof of the net from 20 meters out.
It was the second goal in three games for the Uruguayan, who joined on loan from Lyon during the last transfer window.
Madrid continued to dominate possession in the second half and Antonio Rüdiger and substitute Rodrygo were among those who came close to grabbing an equalizer.
But it could not find a way past Getafe’s stuffy rearguard and an in-form Soria.
Madrid’s task became even harder when Franco Mastantuono was sent off for dissent in stoppage time and although the numbers were evened up in the last minute when Getafe’s Adrian Liso was also shown a red card it came too late to make any impact.
Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga.
“Coming here is always very difficult,” Getafe defender Kiko Femenía told broadcaster DAZN. “We have to congratulate the team, we did a superb job at the back and we scored when had the chance. We might even have scored more on the counterattack.”
They jumped three league places into 11th and were eight points above the relegation zone.