What persuaded European champions Arsenal to pay a world-record transfer fee to sign Canada international forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool?

Olivia Smith became the most expensive player in women's soccer history Thursday when she joined Arsenal from Liverpool for a world record transfer fee of 1 million pounds ($1.34 million). The new benchmark in women’s soccer surpasses the 900,000 pounds ($1.1 million) Chelsea paid for Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave in January.

Arsenal signed Liverpool forward Oliva Smith to a long-term contract, the Gunners announced Thursday. Arsenal said her transfer was for an undisclosed fee.