Liverpool Women have confirmed the signing of midfielder Olivia Smith.
The Canada international arrives from Sporting Lisbon, where she was named the Best Young Player in the Campeonato Nacional Femenino.
Smith produced 13 goals and nine assists in 18 outings as Sporting sealed Women’s Champions League qualification by finishing runners-up to Benfica.
She also holds the distinction of being her country’s youngest-ever player when making an international debut aged 15 years and 94 days in 2019.
“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,” said Smith.
“It’s definitely a prestigious club as a whole and also for my dad it's very important for him – this is the club he’s been watching and following since he was younger.
“So, it’s very cool to actually be a part of this thing and get this opportunity.
“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”
LFC Women manager Matt Beard revealed his delighted at securing the 19-year-old’s services as
He said: “A lot of work has gone into it, we’ve been monitoring her now for the last year-and-a-half.
“I’m excited; fans should be excited by her too. She’s a fantastic talent, and a great personality as well. Hopefully we can see that personality and that talent on the pitch.
“She’s got so many quality attributes – she’s quick, two-footed, [can] score, assist, can tackle. Definitely my type of player.
“I think the first thing that everyone knows we look at is the work ethic, and she’s got that in abundance.
“Her attitude to want to improve is fantastic. Fingers crossed that she can improve here and kick on from where she left off from Sporting.”