Iceland international Dagný Brynjarsdóttir announces retirement after 29-year football career

Iceland international Dagný Brynjarsdóttir announces retirement after 29-year football career Iceland international Dagný Brynjarsdóttir has announced her retirement from football, bringing an end to an incredible 29-year playing career, including 21 years at the highest level. The 35-year-old midfielder confirmed the news in an emotional statement shared on social media, reflecting on a journey that took her from a small Icelandic town to some of the biggest stages in women’s football. Starting her journey at KFR in her hometown of Hella, Brynjarsdóttir went on to represent clubs across Iceland, Germany, the United States and England. Her career included spells with Valur, Selfoss, Bayern Munich, Portland Thorns and West Ham United. However, her retirement is about more than the clubs she represented or the trophies she lifted. It also marks the end of a journey that saw her become one of Iceland’s most experienced and respected international players. From Iceland to the international stage Embed from Getty Images Brynjarsdóttir’s football journey began in Hella, a town with a population of around 850 people. She started playing alongside boys and childhood friends at KFR, laying the foundations for a career she could hardly have imagined at the time. In 2007, she joined Valur, where she established herself in Icelandic football and enjoyed considerable domestic success. Her next opportunity came in 2011 when she moved to the United States to attend Florida State University. During her time with the Seminoles, she became a standout player and helped the university win the NCAA National Championship in 2014. She also earned individual recognition, including First-Team All-American honours and the Soccer America Female Soccer Player of the Year award. Brynjarsdóttir returned to Iceland before making the move to Germany, joining Bayern Munich in 2015. She helped the club win the Frauen-Bundesliga title before moving to the United States to join Portland Thorns. Her time in Portland brought further success. She won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and the NWSL Championship in 2017, adding more silverware to an already impressive career. A childhood dream fulfilled at West Ham Embed from Getty Images For Brynjarsdóttir, her move to England in January 2021 was about more than another opportunity to play abroad. It was the chance to represent the club she had supported since childhood. West Ham signed the Icelandic midfielder from Selfoss, and she quickly became an important part of the women’s team. During her four-and-a-half years in east London, Brynjarsdóttir made 87 appearances for the Hammers, including 68 in the Women’s Super League. She was appointed captain ahead of the 2022/23 season and enjoyed her most prolific campaign in claret and blue, scoring 11 goals in all competitions. Her time at West Ham also included a particularly important chapter away from football. Embed from Getty Images In 2023, Brynjarsdóttir announced she was expecting her second child. She gave birth to her son Andreas in February 2024 before working towards her return to professional football. West Ham also released a documentary titled Ómarsson in March 2024, exploring her experience of pregnancy as a professional footballer and the challenges faced by women balancing motherhood with elite sport. Brynjarsdóttir departed West Ham in August 2025 following the expiration of her contract. She later returned to Selfoss in Iceland, making three appearances during the 2026 season before announcing her retirement. An incredible international career with Iceland Alongside her club achievements, Brynjarsdóttir enjoyed an outstanding international career with Iceland. She earned 122 senior caps and scored 38 goals for her country, representing Iceland at four UEFA Women’s European Championship tournaments. Reaching her 100th senior appearance in April 2022 was another significant milestone. She marked the occasion by scoring in Iceland’s 5-0 victory over Belarus in World Cup qualifying. Embed from Getty Images For Brynjarsdóttir, representing her country was about much more than statistics. Reflecting on her international career in her retirement statement, she spoke about the privilege of wearing the Iceland shirt for 18 years. She described standing in stadiums around the world and singing the national anthem with the support of an entire nation as something she would never forget. It is an achievement that underlines the importance of her contribution to Icelandic women’s football. A new chapter away from the pitch Embed from Getty Images In her retirement announcement, Brynjarsdóttir reflected on everything football had given her, from friendships and trophies to the challenges and lessons that shaped her career. She also explained that her decision was driven by a desire to focus more on her family. Her ambitions have now found a new purpose, with her focus turning towards being there for her sons and supporting them as they pursue their own dreams. Her statement ended with a message of gratitude to the sport that had shaped so much of her life. After 29 years of competitive football, Brynjarsdóttirleaves the game with an incredible legacy. From starting out in a town of just 850 people to representing some of the biggest clubs and stages in women’s football, her journey is one of determination, ambition and achievement. Thank you, Dagný. 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