'Not receiving a million pounds!' - Olivia Smith laughs off 'hefty' £1m price tag after record move to Arsenal

It has been a rapid rise for Smith, who signed her first professional contract just two years ago in July 2023. After scoring seven WSL goals in her first season with Liverpool, the Gunners opted to splash a historic £1million on the young forward. But speaking with The Athletic, Smith revealed that the fee "doesn't mean anything" to her and she will continue to develop her game with the aim of competing for the biggest trophies.

Smith initially enrolled in Penn State University and played for their collegiate team in 2022 before committing to her professional career when signing for Sporting CP two years ago. Now, the 2004-born ace is viewed as a potential point of difference in Arsenal's attempts to topple the Chelsea monopoly over the WSL title in recent years. She will hope that she is only just getting started after her stunning opening-day goal.

"It’s not like I’m receiving a million pounds!” Smith laughs. “That money is just for my potential. It’s an honour to have such a hefty price tag for that, especially for someone like Arsenal to be paying that amount and really setting the tone in the market in the women’s game to keep growing is amazing. But if I’m being honest, the price tag doesn’t mean anything to me.”

It was also revealed that the price tag was not meant to be made public, due to a clause in Smith's contract. This reflects the fact that she made the record-breaking move not for the headlines, but for the football.

“I knew clubs were in for me, but never Arsenal,” Smith says. “The biggest thing for me (when choosing a club) is the coach, their philosophy. Renee had everything good to say — and she’s lived up to that in pre-season and the first game. Looking at the depth of the squad, it just felt right for me. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else but Arsenal.”

But it was a difficult decision for Smith to depart Liverpool, nevertheless. “I came back from Canada and was bringing Mia (Enderby) in for training and to pick up the last of my things,” she says. “Saying goodbye was probably the hardest thing ever. I absolutely bawled my eyes out.”

“Honestly, I’m not even going to set a bar for myself this season,” Smith said. “I’m not always going to be a starter, so even if I’m a game changer, I just want to make an impact. If it’s goals, defensive actions, literally anything, and just support the girls and learn at the same time.” Arsenal take on West Ham United in their second WSL fixture of the season at Chigwell Construction Stadium at 19:30 BST, as the Gunners aim to continue their perfect start to the new season with Smith likely to be at the centre of it all once again.