The £1 Million Woman: What Olivia Smith Teaches Us About Self-Worth

20-year-old Olivia Smith has just become the most expensive signing in women’s football history, moving from Liverpool to Arsenal in a £1 million deal.

It’s a record-breaking moment. But when you compare that fee to men’s football, where transfers often soar well into the tens or even hundreds of millions, it makes you pause.

Why is £1 million such a big deal in the women’s game? And what does it teach us about value, growth, and backing ourselves?

Let’s talk about it.

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1. Women are still being undervalued – even at the top

In 2023, Chelsea signed Moisés Caicedo for £115 million. Almost two years later, Olivia Smith becomes the most expensive woman in football – at less than 1% of that fee.

Yes, the women’s game is still growing commercially. Yes, TV rights and sponsorship money are different. But it’s also about perception. For years, women’s football wasn’t taken seriously, and that’s reflected in how female players are paid and valued, even at the elite level.

Olivia’s transfer matters because it sets a new bar. But it also highlights how far there is to go when it comes to recognising women’s worth, not just in sport, but everywhere.

2. Know your value – before everyone else does

Here’s the thing: Olivia didn’t magically become “worth” £1 million overnight.

She’s been building towards this for years. She left home as a teenager to pursue her dream. She moved across continents. She stepped onto the international stage at just 15. And in her debut WSL season with Liverpool, she didn’t just show up, she dominated.

Her story is a reminder that often, your value isn’t defined by what others are willing to pay or say right now. It’s defined by the work you’ve put in, the risks you’ve taken, and your belief in where you’re going.

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3. It’s OK to make bold moves early

She only turned professional in 2023. Less than a year later, she became Liverpool’s record signing – and now, she’s women’s football’s too.

In just over 12 months, Olivia Smith has broken not one but two transfer records.

She didn’t wait until she was older. She didn’t wait until she had all the experience. She went for it.

How often do we talk ourselves out of going for the job, raising our prices, or making a move because we think we need to be more “ready”? Olivia reminds us that you don’t need to tick every box to be deserving of opportunity. Sometimes, growth comes after the leap, not before.

4. Investing in women pays off

Liverpool bought Olivia Smith for just over £200k. A year later, they sold her for £1 million – a near £800k profit. That’s not just a win for the club. That’s a win for the narrative that women’s football is worth investing in.

And that mindset applies beyond the pitch. Whether it’s hiring more women leaders, funding women-founded businesses, or supporting girls in sport – the return is there. The question is: who’s brave enough to bet on us?

5. Your biggest move might be just around the corner

Olivia’s story isn’t just about football. It’s about ambition, persistence, and recognising your own potential – even when the world hasn’t caught up yet.

So here’s your reminder: you don’t have to wait for someone to put a million-pound price tag on your skills to start backing yourself. Whether it’s asking for a raise, changing careers, or starting your own thing.  

Your value isn’t up for debate. It’s already there.

Not sure what your ‘big move’ is yet? Start by setting some personal money goals → How to Set Money Goals You’ll Actually Achieve