Photo Credit: Canada Soccer
19-year-old Olivia Smith has sparked interest from Arsenal FC after her impressive run at her current club, Sporting CP, in Portugal.
The midfielder is said to have had her £250k transfer clause met by Arsenal and is on track to make her Women's Super League debut in the summer.
Her international career so far:
Smith received her first international call-up for Canada in October 2019, and immediately made history as she became the youngest player to ever debut for the senior national team, at only 15 years old and 94 days.
She then made her World Cup debut in the summer of 2023, during Canada's final group stage match against Australia.
This was shortly followed by her name being marked on the team sheet for the senior 2024 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, when she scored her first senior goal in Canada's opening game against Paraguay.
Photo Credit: Canada Soccer
Smith's club history:
In July 2023, the Canadian international signed her first professional contract with Portuguese club Sporting CP on a three-year deal.
Smith had spent the season prior with the Penn State Nittany Lions, but decided to forgo the rest of her university eligibility and make the jump to the professional ranks overseas.
Smith sealed the deal perfectly, as on her debut appearance for the Sporting CP, she added a goal and an assist to the club's record. She now has netted 16 goals and secured 10 assists in 18 games.
Smith ended her first season in Portugal on a high after clubs and fellow team mates voted her the Young Player of the Year.
After releasing Vivianne Miedema, Arsenal are in need of a replacement, and Smith seems like the perfect substitute. Not only can she play as a midfielder, but she can also perform as a forward, which would provide Arsenal the flexibility they seem to be lacking.
When questioned about her preferred style of play, Smith said: "I play everywhere up top. I think on the wing it really depends on the game and what the coaches want. For me. I like to play to take players on one-vs-one and isolate them, or I do like playing as a false nine and receiving the ball in the middle to create opportunities.”
If all goes well, Smith could be set to make her Women's Super League debut in the 2024/25 season, wearing the classic red and white.
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