Olivia Smith is making a habit of this. The Arsenal and Canada forward has claimed the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award for the second season running, cementing her status as one of the most exciting young talents in the Women's Super League.

Speaking on receiving the honour, Smith said she was "super proud" and made clear the recognition only sharpens her ambition rather than satisfying it. Her message was simple: she wants to "keep setting standards high." That sort of mentality — quietly driven, outwardly composed — has become something of a calling card for a player who continues to develop at pace inside Jonas Eidevall's squad at Arsenal.

Back-to-Back Recognition

Consecutive PFA awards at any level are rare. In the women's game, where the talent pool is deepening season by season and competition for individual honours is fiercer than ever, winning the prize twice in succession is a genuine statement. Smith has done exactly that, and the noises out of the PFA suggest this was not a particularly close call.

The award was announced alongside the senior PFA prizes, with Bruno Fernandes picking up the men's Player of the Year and Khadija Shaw collecting the women's equivalent — further underlining the strength of Arsenal's connection to this year's ceremony, with Smith adding her own chapter to the club's evening.

What Makes Smith Stand Out

The Canadian international has brought a directness and technical composure to Arsenal's attacking play that has caught the eye of coaches and opponents alike across the WSL campaign. Her ability to influence games in the final third, combined with the consistency she has shown across two full seasons, is what separates her from peers who might flash brilliance in shorter bursts.

At international level, Smith has continued to develop with Canada, adding senior experience that feeds directly back into her club performances. That cross-pollination of WSL rigour and international football is a combination that tends to accelerate development — and in Smith's case it is visibly doing exactly that.

The Bigger Picture at Arsenal

For Arsenal Women, Smith's award reflects a broader period of ambition and investment at the club. Retaining a player of her profile — and watching her flourish to the point of back-to-back PFA recognition — is the kind of outcome the club's women's football structure has been building towards.

The market will inevitably cast an eye over a player winning consecutive awards of this standing. For now, though, Smith's focus appears fixed on the next challenge rather than the plaudits that have already arrived. If the standards she is setting remain this high, the awards are unlikely to stop coming.

  • Award: PFA Women's Young Player of the Year 2026
  • Club: Arsenal
  • International team: Canada
  • Consecutive wins: Two seasons running

Frequently asked

Who won the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year 2026?
Olivia Smith of Arsenal and Canada won the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award for 2026, making it her second consecutive win.
Has anyone won the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year two years in a row before?
Back-to-back wins in this category are very rare. Olivia Smith's consecutive victories in 2025 and 2026 mark her out as an exceptional case in the award's history.
What club does Olivia Smith play for?
Olivia Smith plays for Arsenal in the Women's Super League and represents Canada at international level.