‘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.
Dagný, 28 January 2021 you signed for West Ham United. What can you remember about that day and how excited are you to join the club you've always supported?
“It was like a dream come true when I signed for West Ham. It was quite strange because it was during the pandemic, so I was in Iceland and I told my agent I couldn't just move in 48 hours because I had a house there, family, and I was doing an internship!
“It took me 20 hours to fly to London because there were no direct flights. It was quite special that I travelled on 27 January because it’s the birthday of my friend’s Dad, who is also a West Ham fan. I told them that day I was on my way to London to sign for West Ham, so I think it was quite special.”
And not long after signing, your debut came against Chelsea. What can you remember about it?
“I think West Ham took a bit of a chance on me because I was coming back from a foot injury and had not played football for five months. So when I came in, I had been training with one of the physios for a month before I went in with the team.
“My debut was a big day for me and I it was a bit unreal. My hair has come a long way since then!"
Your first goal came against Manchester City in October of the following season, popping up at the back post.
“I think it was a bit of a relief when I scored because when I came in January, I played nine games in my first half of the season and I had some really good chances where I could have scored. I think one of my strengths as a midfielder is scoring goals and I missed those chances.
“When I scored the goal against Man City, I knew there were going to be a lot more goals coming.”
You said there were lots of goals to come, we’ve got some photos of them. Do you have any favourites?
“I think when I scored at home against Tottenham and we won 1-0, and I did the knee-slide. That's probably the first time I've ever done a knee-slide! My husband and eldest son were in the stands, and also two of my friends from home.
“I really enjoyed playing in the 2021/22 season. I think it was a special time for me coming into the team, playing with Gilly [Flaherty], Kate [Longhurst] and other players. I think there were many players who had a lot of experience in the league and I had never seen anything like Kate and Gilly on the pitch. I feel like they were typical English female footballers, and it was nice to learn from them about the league, about the Club. They're great leaders as well."
You clearly made a big impact in your first full season as you were appointed captain in the summer of 2022. How much of a privilege was it for you to wear the armband for the team you supported?
"It was truly special because when I was young, I never thought I was ever going to play for West Ham. So when I was appointed as the captain, it was like a dream come true to be honest. I'm really thankful for Konch [Paul Konchesky] for giving me that opportunity, and I know I gave everything to be the best captain I could be."
“It was a very special year. When you're the captain, there's a lot of responsibility on and off the pitch. I think Mark Noble said to me very well once: 'You probably wear the armband in 20 per cent of what you do. So it's everything else you do on and off the pitch'.”
“I think we started the season very well, but then we struggled a bit, and that’s where me as a captain, I had to step up. I think I really stepped up and finished most of my chances. It was a good season and a privilege to be voted the Hammer of the Year that season.”
A few months later, you announced you were expecting your second child. Talk us through what that journey was like.
“I always said to myself that I was never going to come back after my second child, because I knew it was so hard after I had Brynjar. While I was pregnant, West Ham showed me great support. I stayed here in England until I was 33 weeks pregnant, then moved back home to give birth.
“The comeback was a lot easier and I'm happy I did it. And the support of the Club, my team-mates and obviously family and friends made it easier.”
“I think the gender reveal was an amazing experience. It was a very big gender reveal, I did not expect it! I think West Ham set the standard there for other clubs in the world. It was a great day."
And the documentary came with it as well.
“Yeah, I'm very thankful for that documentary because when I’m older, I'm going to love that I have it! I watched it a few times and I let Brynjar watch it again. Actually, the first time he watched it, he said it was so boring and wanted to watch a cartoon! But then I let him watch it again and he really enjoyed it."
In February 2024, Andreas was born and following that you made your return to the pitch in the pre-season tour of Australia.
“It felt brilliant to be back on the pitch in Australia. I'm not going to lie, I was a bit exhausted! But it was a good comeback and as I was doing it for the second time, I knew what was coming.”
“My first goal back was special. I think it was a bit of a relief as well, because I missed the penalty in the first half [against Southampton], and then this goal came at the end of the game."
How important have your family been on this journey?
“They’ve been a big part of my journey. I could never have done this without my husband. We moved here when my eldest son was only two years old, so England has always been a home for him. It's funny because his first kit was an Arsenal kit. My husband is an Arsenal fan, but if he had an Arsenal kit today, he would throw it in the bin!
“How much Brynjar likes West Ham is because of how he was treated when he came in. Everyone welcomed him so much. When the Club surprised me with bringing him in and letting him walk out with me on Mother’s Day in 2022, it was so nice.”
How proud are you of what you've achieved at the Club?
“I'm very proud of what I've achieved with the Club since I came here. I think the Club is in a better place now. I'm proud of the work I did with staff members and other players behind the scenes to create a better environment on and off the pitch for the team. I think I played a big role in putting the club in a better place for the young ones that will come after me.
“When someone says ‘West Ham United’, I would say the first word that comes to me is family. I brought my family here and they were so supportive. I think when you get to know the people and the players, it just feels like one big family.”
And lastly, have you got a message to the fans?
“West Ham fans, I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all this time. You supported me for four-and-a-half years now. You supported myself, my family, my sons, and I'm truly grateful for that.
“This chapter will live with me for the rest of my life and I will remember it forever. I'll say bye for now, or see you later, because I'll definitely be around.”
