Canadian teenager Olivia Smith leaves Portugal's Sporting CP for Liverpool in England

LIVERPOOL — Canadian teenager Olivia Smith has left Sporting CP of Portugal for Liverpool in England.

The 19-year-old from Whitby, Ont., who can play as both a midfielder and a forward, signed her new contract Tuesday at Liverpool's training ground.

“A lot of work has been done for her, we've been monitoring her for the last year and a half,” Liverpool manager Matt Beard said. “I'm really excited, the fans should be too.”

“She has a fantastic talent, a great personality too. I hope we can see that personality and talent on the pitch.”

Liverpool (12-5-5) finished fourth in the FA Women's Super League last season.

“Now that I'm finally here in the facilities I've been able to see a bit of Liverpool, I love it and I'm super excited,” Smith said.

“It’s a prestigious club overall and it’s also very important for my dad, it’s the club he’s been watching and following since he was younger. So it’s very cool to be part of this project and have this opportunity.”

Smith was named the Portuguese top-flight's best young player in her first season with Sporting, scoring 16 goals.

Smith, who was not selected by Bev Priestman this week for the Olympics, has won 10 caps for Canada and scored two goals. She made her senior debut in November 2019, becoming Canada's youngest debutant at the age of 15.

Smith was named the CONCACAF Gold Cup's Young Player of the Year earlier this year, with two goals and two assists in four games.

Smith joins fellow Canadians Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea), Adriana Leon (Aston Villa), Jayde Riviere (Manchester United), Shelina Zadorsky (West Ham) and Deanne Rose (Leicester City) in the English women's league.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2024

The Canadian Press