Liverpool sign Canadian Olivia Smith from Portugese side Sporting CP for club record fee

Liverpool have signed Canadian teenager Olivia Smith for a club record £210,000.

The Reds made Smith their priority summer target and completed the move by breaking Smith’s contract at Portuguese club Sporting CP.

“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,” said Smith.

“I definitely feel like I can contribute to the players and the team and the staff itself – just as a person but also as a player, pushing for that Champions League spot for next year.”

Liverpool’s existing transfer record involved striker Sophie Roman Haug joining for about £100,000 from Roma last summer.

Smith, 19, plays as a forward or an attacking midfielder for Canada.

She signed her first professional contract with Sporting CP in 2023, joining on a three-year deal.

The teenager scored and assisted on her league debut and was voted Player of the Year and Young Player of the Season in Liga BPI with 13 goals in 18 appearances.

In 2019, Smith became the youngest player to feature for Canada’s senior national team at the age of 15 years and 94 days and she was part of their Women’s World Cup squad last year.

She is an exciting addition and could be the first of a few signings at Liverpool this summer after the club confirmed defender Emma Koivisto, midfielder Miri Taylor and forwards Melissa Lawley and Shanice van de Sanden had all departed upon the expiry of their contracts.

The Reds are looking to build on last season’s successful campaign in which they finished fourth in the Women’s Super League (WSL).