The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has unveiled a new crest for the national teams as part of its first brand identity update for almost two decades.

Redeveloped logos and newly-created "distinct identities" for the Association and the League of Ireland also form part of the refresh, which was in development.

The FAI engaged extensively with staff, players, fans, volunteers, match officials, club officials, coaches, managers, the government, Sport Ireland and commercial partners over the past year before developing the new brand identity.

Irish football's governing body said the core goal of the process was to "review, redefine and reinvent what the FAI stands for and what it looks, sounds, and behaves like."

The work was undertaken following the launch of the FAI's four-year strategy last February, in which the organisation set out as one of its ambitions to “Build a trusted and respected brand”.

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The new national team crest forefronts the shamrock after research found that fans and players wanted it to feature prominently as part of a green design.

The FAI has developed a brand identity for itself separate from the national team to better highlight its role as the governing body, and to "create a professional look and feel for the organisation and how it engages with internal and external stakeholders."

"The development of our new brand identities has been a significant and strategic undertaking that reflects our commitment to being a best-in-class, modern organisation," said Jonathan Hill, CEO of the FAI.

"It also represents a change in what we stand for and how we will engage with the football community as we continue to drive the growth and development of the game in what is a new and exciting era for Irish football.

"Most importantly we have a new national team crest that we hope our fans, players and everyone in Irish football will be truly proud of.”

Louise Cassidy, director of marketing & communications at the FAI, said the new brand identity would be used across social media, the Aviva Stadium and beyond.

"The new identities are so much more than a simple logo mark, we now have the assets and resources to really bring our communication and activation to life with our partners," she added.

"The launch of this new identity today is testament to the hard work of our team and a strong level of collaboration with our many stakeholders whose input we are extremely grateful for.

"This work will enable us to better drive participation, attendance, and engagement with football in Ireland.”

(Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo/FAI)