After two sensational first seasons in Europe, the Canada international has now become the first million pound player in the women's game

Just months after Naomi Girma became the first million dollar player in the women's game, the sport has delivered another milestone, with Olivia Smith usurping the Chelsea defender at the top of the most expensive transfers list by becoming the first million pound player in history.

For some, Smith will not be a particularly familiar name. Still only 20 years old, she has just finished her first season in England's Women's Super League with a Liverpool side that finished in the bottom half of the table. It was only her second campaign in the senior professional game, too, after she decided to end her time at college in the United States prematurely in search of a path that suited her better.

Yet, Arsenal have seen plenty. The Gunners, the reigning European champions, have completed a £1 million ($1.35m) deal for the Canada international as she swaps Merseyside for north London. Why do Arsenal value her so highly? What will she bring to the table? Is she worth such an incredible fee?

Getty ImagesWhere it all began

Smith started playing football at the age of three and, after turning out for some local teams as a young girl, she would soon join the Canadian national team programme in the Ontario region. There, she would constantly excel at levels well beyond her age, so much so that, at 15, she became the youngest player in the history of the Canada women's national team.

"She can do so much already," then-head coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller said after granting Smith her senior debut in a clash with Brazil. "She can already perform at a level that's beyond what you could think a kid her age could actually do. So it's about taking very, very good care of her, but also pushing her."

Smith would soon take the traditional North American route of college, committing to Florida State University. However, a change of coach would prompt her to transfer to Penn State instead and, then, after just one season, she decided to opt for a different path altogether. She went pro.

Believing that the style of play in the U.S. didn't suit her, the forward decided to cross the pond and sign for Sporting CP. There, she would quickly make a serious impact, so much so that Liverpool signed her for a club-record fee a year later. It was form that caught the eye back home, too, with Smith's four-year wait for a recall to the senior national team also ending in a season that saw her named Player of the Year in the Portuguese top-flight.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe big break

Coming into a high-profile competition like the WSL allowed Smith's talent to grab more headlines and earn much more attention. It helped that she regularly turned up in the big fixtures, too, most notably Liverpool's win over Manchester United at Anfield and the FA Cup shock that the Reds produced against Arsenal. At the end of her first season in England, the 20-year-old had seven goals, plus another couple in cup competitions, from 20 games in a team that finished in the bottom half of the table.

"She needed to go somewhere where she knew she would be important, she would play and I think she's been smart about that, at Sporting and then at Liverpool. I think it's been good for her," Mariana Cabral, Smith's coach in Portugal, told GOAL earlier this year, before adding, with a laugh: "I would already say that she is ready for bigger steps, but one thing at a time!"

Getty ImagesHow it's going

That bigger step is here in the form of Arsenal, with the £1m transfer having been made official, and it feels like the right-sized move for Smith, again. The Gunners are a massive power in the women's game, winning the Champions League less than two months ago, but there will also be opportunities for the forward to get minutes right away in a squad that isn't too big.

After settling into the WSL last term, the switch would see Smith exposed to a higher level of expectation, higher stakes matches in competitions like the Champions League and she'll have a serious chance of winning some of the top honours. That would help her development massively, all while she continues to establish herself more firmly in the picture with Canada, two years out from the next World Cup.

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Getty ImagesBiggest strengths

In Smith, Arsenal will pick up an incredibly exciting forward who can play as a striker or a No.10, but is certainly at her best out wide. There, she has the freedom to run at defenders and make things happen, showcasing her wonderful skill, dribbling abilities and crossing, as well as her eye for goal. "She's also an intelligent girl, so you talk to her, tell her you need to do this or that and she adjusts and she does it," Cabral added.

The Canada international isn't just an asset with her technical excellence and attacking prowess, either. She has a marvellous work rate and will not shirk her defensive responsibilities. That only six players in the WSL won possession back more often in the final third last year is evidence of how that can be of use in a team's pressing.

Perhaps most significant of all, given she has become the first million-pound player in the women's game and joined a huge club, is that she has a fantastic attitude. Wise beyond her years and with a good head on her shoulders, Smith is regarded as a dream to coach and someone who never forgets those who have helped her along her journey.

Barcelona’s wait for a return to Camp Nou looks set to drag on for even longer, with the latest news suggesting they may have to wait until 2026.

• Camp Nou reopening pushed beyond August
• Delays caused by permitting and construction challenges
• Will spend half the season at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barca's long-awaited return to the home stadium has been postponed once again, according to a report from . The club officially ruled out the planned August 10 reopening, which was set to host the Joan Gamper Trophy against Como. Ongoing delays in construction and issues with obtaining the necessary permits from the city council have forced the Catalan giants to reconsider their stadium plans for the start of the 2025-26 season. Despite recent commitments from president Joan Laporta and project leader Elena Fort, the board announced that the stadium will not be ready, with the club now eyeing a potential return as late as January 2026.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  This latest setback continues a pattern of missed deadlines and overambitious forecasts throughout the renovation project. Initial promises included a November 29, 2024, return to coincide with the club’s 125th anniversary and hosting the Clasico in May 2025. Both deadlines have since passed unmet. Construction and permit challenges, compounded by external factors such as material shortages and municipal requirements, have persistently disrupted the timeline. Barcelona now faces financial implications due to lost matchday revenue and increased costs, as well as operational headaches related to fixture scheduling and UEFA stadium regulations.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The club originally established a penalty clause for delays with construction firm Limak, amounting to €1 million per day after the November 2024 deadline, but this will not be enforced due to so-called “unforeseen circumstances.” Barcelona have agreed with La Liga to play their first four matches of the 2025-26 season away from home to allow for further construction at Camp Nou. The club’s return will be phased, with Camp Nou reopening at reduced capacity (around 60,000 seats), as full completion of the new stadium, including the third tier and roof, is only expected in 2026.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  Barcelona will begin the 2025-26 campaign at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, where they have played since mid-2023. The club aim to notify La Liga and UEFA of any venue changes by mid-August and faces pressure to settle their stadium situation before the Champions League kicks off in September. The latest estimate for returning to Camp Nou is now January 2026, but this remains subject to the pace of ongoing works and the fulfilment of licensing requirements. All planned home fixtures and key events will remain under review until an official reopening date is confirmed.

Former captain Dasun Shanaka has been left out of Sri Lanka’s 16-member ODI squad to face Afghanistan. Shanaka’s is one of three omissions from the squad that was named for the series against Zimbabwe last month.Attacking middle-order batter Nuwanidu Fernando and legpsinner Jeffrey Vandersay are the other two to miss out, with allrounder Chamika Karunaratne and opening batter Shevon Daniel coming in.Shanaka’s removal from the one-day side does not come as a surprise, given his poor form in the format – his last 21 innings, stretching back to January 2023, have brought him just one half-century and an average of 12.25.He had been removed as white-ball captain ahead of the Zimbabwe series but had retained a place in the playing XI – he was dropped for the third ODI following scores of 8 and 7 in the first two games.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Karunaratne, who will likely be his direct replacement, last played for Sri Lanka at the World Cup in October-November. While he doesn’t possess Shanaka’s ceiling as a power-hitter – attested to by strike rates of 78.43 and 106.20 in ODIs and T20Is respectively – his bowling has proved effective in both white-ball formats.Both Fernando and Vandersay, however, might have legitimate grievances after being left out. Fernando did not play a single game against Zimbabwe, while Vandersay picked up respectable figures of 2 for 47 in the only game he got to bowl in during that series.The rest of the squad fills out as expected. Kusal Mendis heads a strong batting unit that includes Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage – Player of the Series against Zimbabwe – opener Daniel and allrounder Sahan Arachchige.On the bowling front, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana head a spin department that also includes Akila Dananjaya and allrounders Dunith Wellalage and Arachchige. Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan and Karunaratne round out the seam-bowling unit.

Sri Lanka squad for ODI series against Afghanistan

Kusal Mendis (capt), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Shevon Daniel, Janith Liyanage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga

Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) chief executive Rob Lynch will stand down from his role in June to join MCC as director of cricket operations.Lynch, who represented New Zealand at the Under-19 World Cup in 2000, has been in his role at the players’ union since October 2020. He initially served as the PCA’s commercial director from February 2020 before taking on an interim CEO role following Tony Irish’s departure in July of that year.Lynch joined the PCA from Middlesex, where he was chief operating officer. He will return to Lord’s to take up his new position at MCC once he has served a notice period that will last until June 28. Former Worcestershire captain Daryl Mitchell, currently COO at the PCA, will be promoted in an interim capacity to cover for Lynch before a permanent appointment is made.Over the course of his tenure, Lynch helped the PCA navigate through the pandemic and has been a critical voice against an “unsustainable” domestic schedule putting player welfare at risk. Lynch also attended a parliamentary hearing in 2022 where he accepted failings on behalf of the PCA after Azeem Rafiq labelled the union “incredibly inept” for failing to support him over allegations of racism at Yorkshire.In a statement released by the PCA, Lynch said: “Serving as the chief executive of the PCA has been the greatest privilege and challenge of my career. Representing the players is something I will cherish and the association is in a strong financial position, and is set-up to thrive as the sport evolves at a rapid rate.”The growth of the women’s game and equitable advancements, alongside the broader EDI perspective has brought immense and much needed challenge, with the PCA and player knowledge much better for this.”I have thoroughly enjoyed working closely with the players and the wider game to progress standards for the benefit of our members.”Thank you to everybody I have worked so closely with, including our Chair James Harris, Julian Metherell and James Cameron, the board, Richard Bevan, Eoin Morgan and importantly the most-dedicated group of staff I have witnessed in my professional career, they are a credit to PCA members and will no doubt continue to drive exceptionally high standards when I depart in late June.”Lynch, an MCC member and former Young Cricketer during the 2000 season, will succeed Jamie Cox at Lord’s, with Cox joining Somerset as their new chief executive. The director of cricket operations’ duties involved heading up the MCC’s cricket departments and overseeing the club’s global role, including guardianship of the Laws of Cricket and the MCC World Cricket Committee.Matchday operations are also a feature and will begin almost immediately. Lynch officially assumes his role in July with the first men’s Test match of the summer between England and West Indies beginning at Lord’s on July 10.MCC chief executive and secretary Guy Lavender said: “Following a thorough recruitment process, I am delighted to welcome Rob back to MCC. There was an extremely high calibre of candidates who applied for the role, and Rob was the standout individual.”With cricket’s ever-changing landscape, we are very fortunate to be appointing an individual who has such deep experience of the operations in the game, on and off the field. Rob is no stranger to Lord’s and the structure of MCC, meaning he can hit the ground running as we embark on another busy summer.”I would like to thank Jamie Cox for his huge contribution to MCC over the past three years. He has led on numerous projects during that time, including our cricket strategy and I wish him the best for an exciting role at Somerset. I am certain he will make a success of it.”

كشفت تقارير صحفية اقتراب لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد من الرحيل إلى الدوري السعودي خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية.

وأبرم النادي الإسباني عدة تعاقدات خلال سوق الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي، بضم ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، دين هويسن، ألفارو كاريراس، وفرانكو ماستانتونو.

ووفقًا لصحيفة “سبورت” الكتالونية، فإن نادي الاتحاد السعودي يرغب في التعاقد مع داني سيبايوس، لاعب خط وسط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد خلال فترة الانتقالات الحالية.

اقرأ أيضًا | بعد إبراهيم دياز.. لاعب ريال مدريد في حيرة بين تمثيل إسبانيا أو المغرب

وعانى صانع الألعاب الإسباني للحصول على مكان أساسي تحت قيادة تشابي ألونسو، حتى بعد رحيل توني كروس ولوكا موريتش في الفترة الأخيرة، لكنه فشل في ذلك خاصةً بعد اعتماد المدرب الإسباني على أردا جولر في خط الوسط.

ويرغب النادي السعودي بقيادة لوران بلان، في تعزيز قائمة الفريق للموسم الحالي بالدوري السعودي ولإضافة حدة التنافس بين اللاعبين ورفع جودة لاعبي خط الوسط.

ويستعد الاتحاد للتعاقد مع سيبايوس بملايين كثيرة ليغري ريال مدريد بالعرض ولا يرفضه، سيبايوس حتى الآن متردد في الرحيل عن ريال مدريد لكنه يريد اللعب أساسيًا لكي يستعد لبطولة كأس العالم 2026 المقبل.

Chelsea retain an interest in signing both Alejandro Garnacho and Morgan Rogers this summer as they continue a wild summer of spending.

Blues interested in two attackersAston Villa and Man Utd stars on their shortlistAlso continuing talks over Xavi SimonsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per, Chelsea remain interested in signing both Rogers and Garnacho this summer, from Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively, despite their pursuit of Xavi Simons. The Blues have already committed to spending £212 million ($287m) on new signings in this window, adding the likes of Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, and Willian Estevao to Enzo Maresca's squad. They are continuing talks with RB Leipzig over a £60m ($81m) deal for Simons, and also have an interest in Ajax defender Jorrel Hato.

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Garnacho has asked to leave United, and would surely be a more accessible signing than Rogers at Villa, with the Midlands club reportedly keen to hand him a new contract. Nevertheless, both appear to be alternative targets to Simons, amid reports that Bayern Munich are also interested.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea could raise more than £200m ($271m) in player sales this summer, with Christopher Nkunku likely to leave along with Joao Felix, Nicolas Jackson, and Carney Chukwuemeka. The Blues will probably move another midfielder on before confirming any deal for Simons amid ongoing negotiations, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall linked with an exit to Fulham.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Chelsea play Bayer Leverkusen on August 8 in their first friendly of a scaled-back pre-season after their exploits at the Club World Cup. It remains to be seen if a new attacking player will be in Maresca's squad in time for that fixture.

D’Arcy Short made 127 while Ashton Agar and debutant Bryce Jackson took three wickets in a 52-run over Tasmania to keep WA’s three-peat hopes alive

AAP14-Feb-2024

A D’Arcy Short century has helped Western Australia reach a fifth consecutive Marsh Cup final after beating an injury-depleted Tasmania with more than 13 overs to spare, to keep the dream of a three-peat alive.Chasing 321 on Wednesday in Hobart, Tasmania lost Mac Wright to a knee injury and Mitch Owen to a side injury with neither able to bat after they were hurt in the field. Tasmania’s faint hopes of reaching the final rapidly disappeared as they were bowled out for 268, having lost only eight wickets in 36.2 overs.New South Wales will now host WA in the February 25 final, with a Sydney venue yet to be determined. WA are the two-time defending champions and have played in six of the last seven finals, finishing third in the other season.Opener Short top-scored with 127 from 121 balls, with 15 fours and a six. It was his fourth List A century and his first since 2019 having averaged just 17 this season. Cameron Bancroft scored 64 in a 147-run stand for the second wicket with Short that set up WA’s formidable innings.Sam Whiteman also contributed 49, while Hilton Cartwright (23no) and Nick Hobson (29no) scored at better than a run a ball at the end of the innings.Billy Stanlake (2-54 from 10 overs) was the only Tasmanian bowler to take multiple wickets. Charlie Wakim gave some respite from the WA batting onslaught when he took an outstanding one-handed catch in the deep to dismiss Whiteman. The shot off Stanlake appeared certain to be a six, but Wakim brilliantly snared it on the boundary rope.Wakim top-scored in the chase with 68 from 53 balls, including six fours and a six, as Tasmania’s top five batters all made starts. Jordan Silk also made 61, but no-one in the top order could score the century Tasmania needed to overhaul WA’s imposing total.WA debutant Bryce Jackson took 3 for 67 from nine overs and Ashton Agar’s 10 overs yielded 3 for 57.

The accident happened on Sunday and the opener won’t be able face Tasmania from Thursday

Andrew McGlashan19-Mar-20241:21

Inglis: Finding it easier now to move between formats

Cameron Bancroft has been ruled out of the Sheffield Shield final against Tasmania after suffering concussion when falling off his bike.The accident happened on Sunday and Bancroft won’t be able to take his place in the XI on Thursday at the WACA. His loss is a huge blow for Western Australia as they aim for a hat-trick of Shield titles after another impressive season where he is the second-highest run-scorer with 778 at 48.62.Related

WA chase historic hat-trick while Tasmania look to break 11-year drought

Bancroft hospitalised after accident as WA mull a replacement for the final

'It's a difficult job' – Gannon prepares for Shield final after a career on the fringe

Shield team of the season: Webster, Davies, McAndrew… and who else?

Refocused Bancroft puts Test snub behind while gearing up for Shield final

He has formed an excellent opening partnership with captain Sam Whiteman and this season they have become WA’s most prolific first-wicket pair.His absence means WA will have to rejig their opening combination with D’Arcy Short and Teague Wyllie likely to be in contention for the role while Jayden Goodwin could be an option to promote from within the XI.Cameron Bancroft has been a key figure in WA’s success•Getty ImagesBancroft was overlooked for a Test recall when David Warner retired in January and last week admitted he had taken some time to get over the disappointment. However, he has maintained his standing as the most consistent opener in the Shield.”It’s been a challenging back half of the season. We’ve played on some challenging wickets,” he said. “It’s been nice to fight through some tough periods. I tried to be really consistent.”In better news for WA, Aaron Hardie has been passed fit to bowl in the final which gives the home side a key all-round option.WA’s squad depth has been on show regularly throughout the season with numerous players absent on international duty while they have juggled injuries to key bowlers.”At the start of every season, we say it’s not eleven players who will get you to the final, it’s 20-plus who are going to get you there,” Bancroft said. “It’s a big squad mentality and we push that and emphasise that. It’s been a great opportunity for everyone to be part of.”

MatériaMais Notícias

‘Lua de Cristaldo’? O Grêmio anunciou mais um reforço para a temporada 2023. Aos 26 anos, o meia argentino Franco Cristaldo teve sua contratação oficializada pelo clube gaúcho.

RelacionadasGrêmioRenato Gaúcho observa de perto a negociação entre Suárez e GrêmioGrêmio22/12/2022GrêmioGrêmio faz proposta por Suárez e aguarda resposta nesta quinta-feiraGrêmio22/12/2022GrêmioGrêmio volta a se interessar na contratação de Luis Suárez, mas adota cautelaGrêmio20/12/2022

Revelado no Boca Júniors e com passagens pela Europa, Cristaldo estava noHuracán-ARG. Na última semana, o LANCE! já havia adiantado que faltavam somente algunstrâmites burocráticos para o acerto do meio-campista com o Grêmio.

Mercado da bola: veja quem pode chegar no seu time do coração para 2023

Veja tabela do Campeonato Gaúcho

Os termos verbais, por sua vez, estavam devidamente acertados. A vinda do atleta era uma das prioridades para o planejamento traçado porRenato Portaluppi – visando a temporada 2023. Cristaldo desembarcou em Porto Alegre na última terça-feira (20) para a realização de exames médicos. O vínculo do jogador vai até 2026.

Este é o sétimo reforço anunciado pelo Grêmio. Até o momento, o clube também contou com as vindas deReinaldo, Bruno Uvini, Pepê, Carballo, Gustavinho e Everton Galdino. Em 2022, Cristaldo disputou42 partidas pelo Huracán, com 17 gols e oito assistências.

Veja o anúncio realizado pelo Grêmio nas redes sociais:

💎🇪🇪 O novo #ReforçoTricolor vem do Huracán, da Argentina, para fortalecer o Tricolor nos desafios desta temporada! Ele é Franco Cristaldo, meia de 26 anos, cria do Boca Juniors e com passagens pela Europa. Seja bem-vindo, hermano! pic.twitter.com/s8dadTDVNX

— Grêmio FBPA (@Gremio) December 23, 2022

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim gave his verdict on the current batch of goalkeepers at Old Trafford amid sustained interest in Argentine star Emiliano Martinez. The Red Devils recently approached Aston Villa with a proposal to secure Martinez on loan, but the inquiry was swiftly turned down by the Midlands outfit.

• United are looking for a new No.1 
• Andre Onana on shaky grounds 
• Amorim addressed Martinez pursuit 

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Andre Onana has made several crucial mistakes since he joined United, which has forced the club hierarchy to dip into the market once again in search of a new No.1. Moreover, the Cameroonian picked up an injury in July, which further led Amorim to knock on Villa's door with the hope of securing Martinez. However, the former Inter shotstopper has been working his way back to fitness, and his presence will be a welcome boost as preparations for the new campaign ramp up.     

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  WHAT AMORIM SAID

  When asked if a new keeper will be added to the roster in the summer, Amorim said: "We are always looking to improve the team. And we have some characteristics that we would like to have. But again, it depends on the market. It depends on the sales. We'll see. But I'm really happy. And I think even when you talk about Andre, you can see the goalkeepers. Even Tom (Heaton) is learner, he's a different goalkeeper. Altay (Bayindir) did really well, and Onana is going to be better like the other guys that are getting better this year."  

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Apart from scouring the market for a keeper, they are also keen to sign a striker. And one key name currently linked with a move to Old Trafford is RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko. The officials are reportedly deep in negotiations and believe they are in a strong position to agree terms for the highly rated striker. The club hope to finalise this signing before offloading members of their so-called “bomb squad”, which includes Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia.   

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  The pressure is on the club’s hierarchy to deliver the players Amorim is seeking before the September 1 deadline. Whether or not they manage to land targets like Sesko or bolster the goalkeeping department further, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining how competitive United will be in the months ahead.