Robbie and Claudine thrilled to be ambassadors for Special Olympics

Emma Jane Hade

Claudine Keane says she and soccer star husband Robbie will always call Ireland home - but she admits they may not settle here again.

The model mother-of-one was speaking in Dublin, where the couple were unveiled as ambassadors for the Special Olympics yesterday, and she said they were thrilled to be back home for Christmas.

"Even though we live in Los Angeles, when we say home or refer to home, we always think of Ireland," Claudine told the Irish Independent.

But she added: "It is going to be tricky to live here full-time because of Rob's career.

The high profile couple arrive to hordes of media attention when they first move to LA in 2011. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic)

"He will always, maybe, be driven back to the Premiership, whether it is in a management role or a coaching role or something.

"Ireland, as it has always been, will definitely be the place that we spend time in."

Claudine Keane

The couple - who are parents to five-year-old Robert - are leading the 'Support an Athlete' campaign, which is geared towards raising €440,000 to cover the cost of sending the 88 Team Ireland athletes set to participate in next year's games in Los Angeles.

Ireland captain Robbie, who plays for LA Galaxy, said that he was "honoured and privileged to be asked to be a part of it".

The LA Galaxy player married his girlfriend of six years in 2008. They had the ceremony at Ballybrack church and held the marquee reception at the Ritz Carlton at Powerscourt, where Chris de Burgh serenaded the couple. Everybody from Shay Given to Pippa O'Connor attended.

"We are delighted to be a part of it. I have been a part of big tournaments in my career, I know how important it is for the country and for Team Ireland to be a part of this. We are excited to be a part of it," the 34-year-old said.

Claudine said they plan to get "as involved as possible" with Team Ireland athletes for the 2015 Special Olympic World Games next August.

Robbie and Claudine Keane in LA Picture: AKM-GSI / Splash News

"We are hoping to be there at the opening ceremony, get involved and go to training sessions, visit the team village and do everything we can to help and be a part of this."

The Keanes will return to the States at the end of January and, despite recently saying he plans to take a break, Robbie told the Irish Independent that he plans to remain "playing for a long time".

"As soon as there is a decision to be made in a good few years to hang up (my boots), I am going to make sure I am prepared and ready for whatever the next chapter is," he said.