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

Hamilton Spectator

17-07-2025

Olivia Smith has set a new benchmark in women's soccer with her move from Liverpool to Arsenal for a reported 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).
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:
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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.
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James Robson is at
https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP soccer:
https://apnews.com/hub/soccer