Surjit Patowary

YouTube Star KSI Buys Into Dagenham & Redbridge FC

Dagenham & Redbridge FC, KSI, Non League Football

Internet superstar KSI has announced he is acquiring a 20 percent minority stake in sixth tier club Dagenham & Redbridge.

The YouTube phenomenon, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, was born on 19 June 1993 in London and raised in Watford, Hertfordshire. 

He has accumulated over 44 million subscribers and 14 billion video views across his active channels.

Beyond YouTube, KSI has ventured into boxing, music, and entrepreneurship, co-creating the hugely popular PRIME energy drink brand.

His connection to the Daggers runs deeper than a business transaction.

KSI’s early YouTube series, Race to Division One, saw him rise through the online leagues of the FIFA video game, making this club acquisition a symbolic full circle moment. 

He has expressed an ambition to eventually take the club into the Premier League, with the more immediate aim of winning promotion from the National League South.

The deal follows a broader ownership transition, with a US-based investment consortium called Happy Fan Group acquiring Dagenham & Redbridge, and former player Anwar Uddin stepping in as the new chairman. 

Former Premier League striker Andy Carroll has also joined the club as a shareholder in recent weeks.

On the pitch, the Daggers find themselves in the National League South this season after suffering relegation to the sixth tier in 2024 to 2025.

Manager Lee Bradbury admitted his side were second best in a 2-0 defeat to Totton on Saturday.

Amid the excitement, an important chapter is closing off the pitch. Stephen Thompson MBE, who has been involved in the club’s management since 1981, is stepping down as Managing Director effective 31 March 2026, following the Happy Fan Group takeover. In recognition of his 45 years of service, the board has bestowed upon him the distinction of Honorary Life President. 

Here’s what KSI said on acquiring non-League side Dagenham & Redbridge –

I want to tell the world something big is going to happen. I’ve done boxing, music, YouTube content. I’ve done TV stuff.

I’ve been around the world, done tours. I’m a man that does whatever I want. You can’t ever stop. You can’t ever stop wanting more.

I am buying Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club.

So, how does it feel? So real, bro. Out of this world. Just the idea of it just excites me so much, man. Years ago, I saw the excitement, the happiness, the joy. I want to bring that back and then surpass it.

I want the place to be pumping. I want the place to be rocking. I want it to be an event whenever you come here. Playing a video game and owning a football club is very different.

Okay, I know that. But with Race to Division One, it was a journey. It was hard, but in the end, I did it.

With this club, I want to do the unthinkable. I want to take Dagenham and Redbridge to the Premier League.

It’s obviously going to take time, but I’d say realistic stage is getting out of this league and entering the National League.

We need to improve the team, have some additions to really take it to another level, and I want to build the community.

You know, everyone here is fantastic, hard-working people, and I want to be the man that can affect things on the pitch as well as off the pitch.

You guys have been here way longer than I have, and I know to some of you it might be scary, me being one of the owners.

But I’m reachable. You can literally tweet me and I will see it. You can let your frustrations out to me or celebrate with me.

I’m approachable. Like, bro, what owner do you know is sitting with the fans like this? That’s me, bro. That’s me. I’m a fighter. I’ve broken my nose, I’ve broken my hand, I’ve broken my thumb. I’ve been in tough fights.

But I keep going no matter what. With daggers, I’m gonna keep fighting. I’m gonna do everything I can to make sure we succeed. I’m just ready to get started.”

Chief Commercial Officer for Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club John Grabowski said –

“Having JJ as a shareholder in Dagenham & Redbridge is transformative for the club. His passion for disruption, connections with people, and motivation to succeed perfectly aligns with the ambition of this Club moving forward. This partnership is a clear statement of our intent: to build a truly unique club that is relevant to both its local community and a global audience. We welcome JJ and look forward to working together to deliver a brighter future for the Daggers.”

Fans react to the news of KSI buying Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club –

@StokeyyG2
Unreal stuff mate.

Premier League soon…👀

@AskChristiansen
Everyone’s focused on the content angle. The real upside is recruitment. Lower leagues are full of undervalued profiles if you know what you’re looking for: role-fit players, data outliers, late developers, overlooked markets. Combine smart identification with KSI’s audience leverage and Dagenham can accelerate faster than most clubs at this level. That’s where promotions are actually won.

@casual_jay1
Get that Netflix deal going for a Dagenham docuseries following the journey. That you can put back into the club

@OnceADagger
Hi KSI, I look forward to hearing your plans for the Carling Stand toilets imminently.

@HighbeeNation1
Full respect to KSI for turning a 2012 FM save into real life ownership that’s actually mental dedication.

But here’s the question nobody’s asking can YouTube money and celeb hype actually fix a National League club long term, or are we just watching another Wrexham style glow

@SamueILFC
Wow. This is actually insane. I grew up watching R2D1 and now you’re doing it with a actual team, excited to see how it goes. 👏🏻

@the10s_path
Ksi got money
But he for sure isnt buying the club alone
Who are the business partners JJ?

@E20WHU
Hope you are ready for this challenge because dagenham are different..they will back you if you are straight down the line with them.. welcome to my home town 👍

@I_Am_Sharingan
Love this bro Good luck to you, the team and the fans who have held them down over the years 🙏

@pekmade
Any good @BallerLeagueUK players are going straight here

@rkpdagger
Lots of work to be done but excited to see what this club can now become.

@RolandKickFlix
Back where it all began and this time, we’re chasing the glory days with Dagenham and Redbridge F.C.

@brandongMUFC
You gonna do a series like Wrexham? Would be a great insight of what a new owner can do and see the squad developer over the years to come

@nonleaguesouths
Great news, I think you’ll be a fantastic fit for this, can’t wait to see how you get on!

@amir7iqbal_amir
seeing race to div 1 to this is just absolutely absurd 😭😭😭😭

@Bully_Lee
This is amazing congratulations jj hopefully you stick at it work hard and it pays off.

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