The £900,000 Chelsea spent to sign United States defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave in January is the existing world record. The transfer of 20-year-old Canada international Smith is conditional on a medical and personal terms being settled. Smith signed for Liverpool from Portuguese club Sporting last summer and netted seven times in 20 WSL games in her first season.
Smith signed for Liverpool on a club-record transfer fee of just over £200,000 from the Portuguese club in July 2024 and retains two years left on her contract. Arsenal have also signed Chloe Kelly on a free transfer from Manchester City, as well as former Liverpool left-back Taylor Hinds. Smith has appeared 18 times for Canada, netting four goals.
Liverpool, seventh in the WSL a year ago, sees Smith’s sale as a prime chance to reinforce their team using the transfer fee. They are without a manager since dismissing Matt Beard in February, and former Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor is at the head of the list to succeed him.
Blimey, the fee is huge. It is really,” added former Manchester City and England midfielder Izzy Christiansen, responding to the news on Thursday evening. She is at the very beginning of her career, but she is joining a good club.”
She would have to fight with a world-class forwards’ lineup featuring Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord, Katie McCabe, Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius at Arsenal.
“They have an extremely good frontline and depth to it,” Christiansen stated. This is Arsenal putting layers to a Champions League-winning team who will want to go and do it all over again.
“I’m sure their remit will be to win the WSL too. She certainly brings depth. It is early days as to whether she plays or not. I’m certain it’s a project for the immediate future in an Arsenal jersey. It’s some price and quite something for women’s football.”
