Olivia Smith is the latest big money move in women’s soccer as transfer fees rise rapidly

Advertisement

Advertise with us

Olivia Smith has set a new benchmark in women's soccer with her move from Liverpool to Arsenal for 1 million pounds ($1.34 million).

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$0 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.75/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

Olivia Smith has set a new benchmark in women’s soccer with her move from Liverpool to Arsenal for 1 million pounds ($1.34 million).

That makes the 20-year-old Canada forward the most expensive player in the history of the women’s game and her move is the just the latest record-breaking deal in recent times.

United States defender Naomi Girma became women’s soccer’s first million-dollar player when she completed her move from San Diego Wave to Chelsea in January for a reported 900,000 pounds ($1.1 million).

FILE - USA womens' national team defender Naomi Girma plays against the Republic of Ireland in the first half of an international friendly soccer match, June 26, 2025, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
FILE - USA womens' national team defender Naomi Girma plays against the Republic of Ireland in the first half of an international friendly soccer match, June 26, 2025, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)

And records have tumbled regularly as the profile of the women’s game continues to rise.

Here’s a look at how the record transfer fee (in USD) in the women’s game has increased:

___

2002: Milene Domingues

The Brazilian midfielder moved from Fiammamonza in Italy to Rayo Vallecano in Spain for $310,000.

2020: Pernille Harder

The Denmark forward left Wolfsburg to join Chelsea in England for $355,000.

2022: Keira Walsh

The England midfielder moved from Manchester City to Barcelona for $513,000.

2024: Mayra Ramirez

The Colombia forward left Levante in Spain to join Chelsea in a deal worth $542,000.

2024: Racheal Kundananji

The Zambia striker moved from Madrid CFF in Spain to Bay FC in the United States for $788,000.

2025: Naomi Girma

The U.S. international became the first $1 million female player with her move to Chelsea.

2025: Olivia Smith

It didn’t take long for the record to be broken again — this time by the Canada forward, who is the first 1 million pound ($1.34 million) player.

___

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Report Error Submit a Tip

Soccer

LOAD MORE