Emma Byrne has left the Arsenal Ladies football club, having come to the end of her contract, following a 17-year stint with the side.
After joining the club in 2000, Byrne helped Arsenal to win 11 league titles, ten FA Cups, five League Cups, and one Uefa Women’s Cup.
Her debut season was particularly successful for the club, in which they won a treble. The Irish goalkeeper went on to play an integral role in Arsenal's most decorated season (2006/2007) in which they won a quadruple, which coincided with the club's 20th anniversary.
🔴 All the best for the future, @emmsb30 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/X956jTchDt
— Arsenal Ladies (@ArsenalLadies) December 30, 2016
Elsewhere, Arsenal are losing another stalwart from their charges. Rachel Yankey is leaving the club following a career which spans two decades.
Throughout her time at the club, Yankey helped Arsenal to win eight league titles, nine FA Cups and a UEFA Women’s Cup.
Yankey is one of the most capped England players of all time, with 129 caps for her country.
Tributes are being paid on Twitter to both players for their services over the years.
These 2 though â¤ï¸ðŸ‘ŒðŸ½@ArsenalLadies Legends âš½ï¸ @emmsb30 @rachelyankey11 pic.twitter.com/BnCIwIzzam
— Alex Scott (@AlexScott) December 30, 2016
Rachel Yankey scored for Arsenal in the 1998 Women's FA Cup Final. Emma Byrne saved a penalty on the 2001 Women's FA Cup Final.
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) December 30, 2016
Thankyou @rachelyankey11 & @emmsb30 for being great teammates. Not sure the @ArsenalLadies trophy cabinet would be quite as full without you
— Casey Stoney MBE (@CaseyStoney) December 30, 2016
@emmsb30 Sorry to see you leaving Arsenal after so many years. All the very best with your future plans.
— Cian Mc Gibney (@GibneyCian) December 30, 2016
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