‘Family’ was the word that came to Dagný Brynjarsdóttir when she was asked to describe West Ham United - something that perfectly encapsulates her journey at her childhood Club.
Brynjarsdóttir spent four-and-a-half seasons in east London, making 87 appearances, scoring 18 goals, and capturing the hearts of many Claret and Blue supporters. After all, she is one of them.
As the 33-year-old returned to Chadwell Heath Training Ground one last time, she unpacked an array of West Ham shirts - mostly match-worn, but one stood out among the rest. Amidst the pile of memories, including her debut shirt and the kit in which she netted her first West Ham goal, Brynjarsdóttir pulled out a long-sleeved away shirt from the 2006/07 campaign. She opened it up, held it aloft and proudly showed ‘Brynjarsdóttir 10’ to those in the room.
Most young football fans get their name and number on their shirts to replicate the feeling of being a professional, but Brynjarsdóttir got to live her dream, and walked out for West Ham with the No10 on her back and the captain’s armband proudly wrapped round her arm.
The Iceland international was appointed skipper following her first full season at the Club, in which she helped the women’s team record their highest-ever finish in the Barclays Women’s Super League. She more than shouldered the responsibility, netting eleven goals in 2022/23 on her way to picking up the Hammer of the Year award.
It was in August 2023 that Brynjarsdóttir announced she was pregnant with her second child, and she was shown full support from those around her as she welcomed Andreas into her family - starring in a Club-original documentary along the way.
Andreas was in the stands last season to support his Mum as she returned to the pitch, as was her eldest child, Brynjar, who had previously surprised her on Mother’s Day 2022 when he was her mascot for a home game against Brighton & Hove Albion.
That was one of a collection of memories that will stay with Brynjarsdóttir forever, as she closes her West Ham United chapter. She took time on an emotional morning at Chadwell Heath to reflect on the past four-and-a-half seasons, sifting through photos - smiling, laughing, shedding a tear, and sending one final heartfelt message to the Claret and Blue faithful.