Former Ireland captain Emma Byrne comes out of retirement with Spanish side Terrassa

Former Republic of Ireland captain Emma Byrne has emerged from retirement to sign a deal with Spanish third-tier side Terrassa.

The long-time Arsenal custodian hung up her boots two years ago following a stint with Brighton & Hove Albion and moved to Barcelona, where she has been coaching in the interim.

40-year-old Byrne amassed 122 caps across 22 years with the international team and was captain for the final four of those years.

The Leixlip native spent 16 years with Arsenal, winning a UEFA Champions League, 11 league titles and ten FA Cups and was twice named player of the year at the London club.

Byrne was named international player of the year in 2008 and best women’s player in 2012 and became the first woman enrolled in the FAI hall of fame.

She spoke the extratime.ie Sportscast earlier in the year on her vast experience in Irish football and where the game is going in this country.