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KSI has taken a surprising step into English football after becoming a part-owner of Dagenham & Redbridge F.C., a club currently playing in the sixth tier of English football. The YouTuber, rapper, boxer and entrepreneur announced the investment in early March 2026, saying he hopes to transform the East London side and eventually guide it toward the Premier League.
A YouTube Star Turns Football Investor
The 32-year-old online personality, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, has reportedly purchased around a 20% minority stake in the club and will act as a strategic partner within the ownership group.
KSI rose to global fame through YouTube gaming videos, particularly football titles such as FIFA, before expanding into music, boxing and business ventures. With tens of millions of followers across social media, his involvement is expected to dramatically increase the club’s visibility worldwide.
Announcing the move, KSI said becoming a football club owner had long been a dream. He described the project as a “rollercoaster” but insisted he is committed to rebuilding the team and restoring excitement around the club.
Working Alongside Andy Carroll
KSI joins a new ownership structure following a takeover by investment group Happy Fan Group. Among the notable figures involved with the club is former England striker Andy Carroll, who is both a shareholder and a player for the team.
The partnership between the online celebrity and the former Premier League forward has already drawn attention from fans and media, with many comparing the project to the Hollywood-backed rise of Wrexham under actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
A Club With History
Founded in 1992 after a merger between two East London clubs, Dagenham & Redbridge once reached the English Football League and even played in League One in 2010. However, the club has struggled in recent years and was relegated to the National League South following the 2024–25 season.
KSI believes the club can rebuild step by step, first targeting promotion back into the National League before pushing toward the professional divisions.
Global Attention for a Non-League Club
KSI’s enormous online audience is expected to bring unprecedented exposure to the Daggers. Match attendance reportedly surged after his first appearance at the stadium, and the project will be documented in a new series titled “Race to the Top.”
For a club that has spent years outside the football spotlight, the partnership could bring new sponsorships, commercial deals and international fans.
Whether KSI can truly guide Dagenham & Redbridge to the heights of English football remains uncertain, but his involvement has already turned one of England’s lower-league clubs into one of the most talked-about teams in the country.
Attached is a news article regarding KSI buying Dagenham and Redbridge
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5yjj80ly7go
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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