Liverpool strengthen squad with club-record signing of Canada international | OneFootball

Liverpool have broken their own transfer record with the signing of Canadian teenager Olivia Smith.

The Reds were praised for their fourth-place finish during the 2023/24 WSL campaign, with victories against Manchester United and Chelsea proving essential in their success.

This marked the highest placing in the division for Liverppool since 2017, with Matt Beard's efforts recognised when he was named Barclays Women’s Super League Manager of the Season.

Speaking about her move to Liverpool, Smith said: "Now that I'm finally here in the facility, I got to see a little bit of Liverpool, I absolutely love it and I'm super excited.

"I think it's super-exciting because we have such a young team and [last[ season they were amazing. I'm excited to be a part of a squad like this."

As first reported by the BBC, it’s understood Liverpool had been in positive negotiations with Smith for several months, after identifying her as a priority target this summer.

However, in order to get the deal over the line, they had to pay a release clause of around €250,000 (£210,000) to break the 19-year-old’s contract at current Portuguese club Sporting CP.

Olivia Smith became the youngest player to debut for Canada / WILLIAM WEST/GettyImages

Smith has the ability to play as either a forward or an attacking midfielder, which will work to Liverpool’s advantage as they look to topple the top three clubs in the WSL.

During her time at Sporting CP, Smith produced 13 goals and nine assists from her 18 league appearances as her side secured Women’s Champions League qualification by finishing runners-up to Benfica.

For Canada, Smith became her country’s youngest-ever player when she debuted aged 15 back in November 2019, and to date has ten caps to her name. She also featured at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and received the Young Player of the Tournament prize at the Concacaf W Gold Cup earlier this year.

The signing most definitely reinforces how much Liverpool is intent on moving further up the table next season, and will no doubt be reassuring news to fans following the already announced exits of Emma Koivisto, midfielder Miri Taylor and forwards Melissa Lawley and Shanice van de Sanden.