Olivia Smith: The Trailblazing Story of Women’s Football’s First £1 Million Player

Olivia Smith has already etched her name in history. The 21-year-old carries a remarkable legacy as she prepares to grace Emirates Stadium for the first time. She is the first female footballer to command a £1 million transfer fee, a monumental achievement in the world of women’s soccer.

Arsenal shattered the world record to acquire her services from Liverpool in July. While the record has since been surpassed, Olivia will forever be recognized as the women’s game’s first seven-figure player. Her journey is a testament to her dedication, talent, and unwavering spirit.

“Everything was leading to this. She was born for this,” her former Penn State University head coach, Erica Dambach, told BBC Sport. Dambach added, “Yes, it’s happened young, but it hasn’t happened without years of preparation to get into this environment. Liv has been experiencing this stuff since she was 15 years old.”

Olivia debuted for Canada at the young age of 15, becoming the youngest player to ever represent Les Rouges. Therefore, the spotlight and pressure that come with signing for European champions like Arsenal are not entirely new to her.

Olivia Smith: More Than Just a Million-Pound Player

A Humble Star: She’s Still Just Liv

Despite her meteoric rise to stardom, those who have coached and mentored Olivia insist she remains grounded and unchanged. Humility is a defining characteristic of this exceptional athlete. Even with the transfer record-breaking deal to Liverpool, those close to her attest to her authentic nature.

When Liverpool were on the cusp of smashing their transfer record, then-manager Matt Beard met Olivia in person for the first time over dinner. “I like to get to know people as people rather than footballers because I know the footballer that we signed, and we had a lot in common, it was surreal,” Beard told BBC Sport.

“She’s just a great kid, she’s very down to earth. But we just hit it off really well. She’s great, and the thing with Olivia is she just takes everything in her stride. She’s a kid at heart. She’s human and I think from my perspective I tried to allow everyone to be themselves and she settled in really quickly. That’s just how her personality is.”

The bond between player and coach was strong, and even after both departed Liverpool, they remained in contact. Olivia called Beard to thank him after Arsenal’s pre-season game against Tottenham Hotspur. This is a testament to her gratitude and respect for those who have supported her.

Olivia also demonstrates this respect to those who have played a role in her development. She texted Sporting’s head of women’s football, Margarida Batlle y Font, after her move to Arsenal. She also visited AFC Toronto to meet Marko Milanovic and Billy Wilson, two key figures in her development during her time at North Toronto Nitros.

“The best thing about Olivia is she’s still just Liv,” Wilson told BBC Sport. “She’s not changed at all. She’s still got the exact same group of friends. She’s just a kid who loves to love life, has a great outlook, loves her football, is always smiling. She’s not changed a bit and I think that’s the biggest testament to who she is. None of this has fazed her.”

The Role of Family: A Support System Like No Other

Olivia’s parents have been a constant source of support and encouragement, playing a vital role in her impressive rise to the top. They have been there for her every step of the way, providing guidance and unwavering belief in her potential.

Sean Smith and Sulee Riquelme-Smith were also present at that dinner in Liverpool. Their presence highlights their involvement and commitment to their daughter’s journey.

“The mum and dad have done an unbelievable job in preparing her for this,” said Beard. “They’ve made a lot of sacrifices as a family. They have done a fantastic job raising her and preparing her for this moment as an athlete.”

Her parents encouraged her to explore her other interests, contributing to her well-rounded development as a footballer. “She played numerous sports such as hockey, and she did a martial arts discipline,” said Beard. “I just think that education alone, if you are looking at martial arts as a sport, it’s more about discipline and it’s not about the fighting side of it… that’s obviously benefited her.”

Batlle y Font also noted Sean’s active role in Olivia’s career, “Her dad is a figure a bit like the father of Venus and Serena Williams. He was that kind of mentor to her when she was young and still keeps being on her side. He was very proud of Olivia.”

From Toronto Nitros to Arsenal: A Journey of Growth

Early Success and European Calls

In 2022, Olivia excelled at North Toronto Nitros, dominating League1 Ontario. She scored 18 goals in 11 games, marking her final stint playing club football in her home country.

That summer, she moved south to Penn State University. Despite arriving with a cruciate ligament injury and a period of inconsistent form, European clubs soon came calling.

Dambach, her former Penn State coach, stated, “It was neat to watch her be able to be an 18-year-old because I don’t think there’s been a lot of times where she’s been able to be her actual age. Since leaving Penn State she has put herself out there and put herself in uncomfortable situations and I think through those she was able to really grow and develop.”

Just one year after that standout season in Canada, she left college to join Sporting in Portugal, despite interest from clubs in France and England.

Making an Impact in Portugal

Batlle y Font played a vital role in persuading Olivia to move to the Portuguese league. “I think she understood that we really wanted her. I think that she chose us because she understood that she would have the same rights and same duties as other players, but she would not be one more player.”

She quickly made an impression, “She was 18 and she was playing against experienced players and she would make a bit of a fool of them. When she played we would look at each other and say, ‘how did we fool this girl to be here? How lucky are we?'”

After another productive season, multiple European clubs expressed interest, including Liverpool who she subsequently joined.

Ready for the Challenge at Arsenal

Olivia’s debut season in the WSL saw her score seven goals in 20 games for Liverpool, also earning her the PFA young player of the year award. Arriving at Arsenal marked her third club in three years, a testament to her rapidly evolving career.

“I definitely think it’s not comfortable, but you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” said Smith, speaking to reporters in pre-season. “And it’s been quite tough for me personally, not knowing what’s going to come next.”

The Price Tag and the Future

The Pressure and the Potential

While Olivia acknowledges the rapid growth of women’s football with the recent transfer records, she remains focused. “It’s definitely an honour, especially coming from Liverpool. To come with, obviously, such a hefty price tag for such a young player like me, I think they see the potential that I have, and they see my mindset. I’m hungry, I’m driven, I want to learn, I want to grow, and I want to win things, ultimately. And I think that was a big piece. But with the money, it’s not really a big deal for me.”

Those who have worked with her believe she will justify her transfer fee with her performances, using it as motivation.

“For me, she’s going to be the best player in the world without a shadow of a doubt,” said Beard.

Wilson added: “It’s an amazing mentality and some players when they get there, they stay on that limit. She is always trying to overcome limits. It’s hard to be consistent and she is consistent.”

Arsenal hopes to have Olivia in their side for longer than previous clubs. “She’s very humble, she’s quiet and she’s a sweet girl. On the pitch, she’s a lion.”

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