Taekwondo, stats, painful goodbyes - how Smith became women's first £1m player
Olivia Smith's career has been in the limelight since she was 15 - but she had been preparing herself for it even before she was a professional footballer.
Olivia Smith, now 22, became the first £1m women's footballer when Arsenal signed her from Liverpool in a world record deal last year. Growing up in Whitby, Canada, Smith was encouraged to play football by her Jamaican, Chilean and Peruvian parents, who moved her around frequently for her development. She started playing with boys at the age of 12 before joining a girls' team.
Smith trained in taekwondo to cope with bullying and improve her agility, discipline and shooting speed, which later contributed to her football career. Her father, Sean, meticulously tracked her statistics and helped her develop mentally through various sports like gymnastics. Smith's unique sporting background helped her handle pressure and develop mental toughness.
Despite the challenges of moving around frequently, Smith has remained independent, eventually settling at Arsenal. She has set her sights on winning major trophies with the club and remains determined to continue her football journey.
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