Arabic version: KSI يستحوذ على حصة في نادي داغنهام وريدبريدج لكرة القدم
YouTuber KSI has bought a minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge and says he wants to take the sixth-tier club to the Premier League. According to BBC News, the announcement follows the club’s recent struggles, having been relegated to the National League South and currently sitting 13th in the table with 49 points.
The club’s managing director, Stephen Thompson, is set to stand down from his role and position on the board at the end of March, marking a significant change in the club’s leadership. KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, shared his excitement about the new venture, stating, “I hope to bring Dagenham & Redbridge back to the glory days. Reaching the Premier League would be a dream.”
KSI, a prominent figure with over 17 million subscribers on YouTube, is also known for his music career and as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent. His involvement is described as the club’s most significant strategic partnership to date. He joins former England striker Andy Carroll, who also recently invested in the club after joining on a free transfer in July.
Thompson, who has been with Dagenham & Redbridge for over 45 years, has been made honorary life president upon his departure. He expressed gratitude for his long tenure and support for the club’s future under new ownership. The club was formed in 1992 through the merger of Dagenham and Redbridge Forest and has faced challenges, including dropping out of the English Football League in 2015-16.
