Popular YouTuber and entertainer, KSI, has recently purchased a minority stake in the sixth-tier football club, Dagenham & Redbridge. The move is part of his ambitious plan to elevate the club to Premier League status.
The announcement came on Tuesday when it was revealed that Stephen Thompson, the long-serving managing director of Daggers, would be stepping down from his role and board position at the end of March. This change comes as the club currently sits 13th in National League South table with 49 points after being relegated last season.
Dagenham & Redbridge referred to KSI's involvement as "its most significant strategic partnership to date", indicating a promising future for this historic football club.
KSI, YouTuber, said:
"I'm so excited to start this journey. It's gonna be a rollercoaster for sure but I hope to bring Dagenham & Redbridge back to the glory days,"
"And once we reach that point, I want to go even further. Reaching the Premier League would be a dream. And I believe it is 100% doable. It will take a long time, so to the Daggers fans, please be patient. I want you to know that I am fully committed to making sure Dagenham & Redbridge is a team that everyone will know worldwide, and will be an exciting team to watch and support."
Who is KSI?
KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, gained popularity as an online streamer with over 17 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. His diverse career includes roles as a musician and former boxer. He also currently serves as a judge on Britain's Got Talent alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
Formed in 1992 through the merger of two clubs - Dagenham and Redbridge Forest - Dagenham & Redbridge had its momentous promotion to League One during their history in 2009-10 but were relegated back down following season. They further dropped out from English Football League during the 2015-16 season before facing another relegation last season.
KSI isn't alone in investing into this promising venture; he joins former England striker Andy Carroll who also invested into Daggers following its recent takeover by Happy Fan Group Ltd. Carroll joined Daggers on a free transfer in July at the age of 37. This strategic partnership between KSI and Dagenham & Redbridge marks an exciting new chapter for the club. With a fresh infusion of capital and a renewed sense of ambition, fans are eagerly waiting to see how this partnership will shape the future trajectory of their beloved football club.
