KSI claims Dagenham & Redbridge is his ‘everything’ as he opens up on Premier League dream

KSI has brought more eyes to Dagenham & Redbridge than the club has ever seen – now he wants to help them reach the Premier League.

The 33-year-old is into his first full season as a minority shareholder of the Daggers, who currently sit atop the National League South.

Getty

The YouTuber, real name Olajide ‘JJ’ Olatunji, made national headlines when he invested in the sixth-tier outfit earlier this year.

KSI ‘loving it’ at Dagenham & Redbridge

Dagenham & Redbridge have since signed over 14 players on free transfers this summer, including Antony Papadopoulos from EFL side Crawley Town, who are two leagues above them.

And the KSI-effect has also paid dividends on the pitch, with his side two points clear in the National League South after six games.

“I’m loving it,” the Londoner told talkSPORT’s Ian Abrahams following Dagenham & Redbridge’s 1-0 win over Slough Town. “It’s fantastic.

“It’s definitely a roller coaster. It’s not easy.

“There are games where I’m thinking ‘Yeah, Slough Town, [we] should easily destroy them 3-0’, and we struggle at times just because we haven’t been clinical enough.

“[Harry] Beautyman had several chances to just put this game to bed, and we didn’t. And then a silly red card.

“Silly red card that we just don’t need; Too many. I mean, we had what, three red cards in six games? It’s not good.

“We need to improve discipline.”

Getty

Why KSI invested in Dagenham & Redbridge

Since his initial investment, the influencer has since been joined in Dagenham by former Queens Park Rangers owner Tony Fernandes.

The Malaysian businessman, who was a shareholder at QPR between 2011 and 2023, bought a 40 per cent stake in the east London club.

Asked whether his decision to enter the game was a result of either his inability to be a professional footballer or his desire to see Dagenham & Redbridge flourish further up the English pyramid, KSI replied: “It’s the second option because, for me, like I have joy in seeing others win and this is my club, man.

“I want it to reach the highest of highs. I’ve set a goal: Premier League.” By? “No, I’m not gonna say…” KSI continued.

“It’s football; anything can happen, but that’s my goal, and I want to see this club in the Premier League with the best.”

Getty

‘I’ve brought more eyes than Dagenham and Redbridge has ever really seen’

KSI boasts over 46 million subscribers across his four active YouTube channels and is the co-owner of several businesses as well.

He is the co-founder of Misfits Boxing and has also served as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent in recent years.

But already in his work at the Daggers, KSI has agreed a unique broadcasting deal with DAZN to live stream a number of the club’s fixtures on YouTube throughout the season.

“My expertise are marketing and media,” He told talkSPORT. “Getting eyes on the club, and that’s what I’m doing.

“Every game I come, every time I’m posting about Dagenham & Redbridge, it’s just one new fan that’s checking them out and joining the journey.

“So for me, I’ve brought more eyes than Dagenham and Redbridge has ever really seen. So we just need to keep it up.”

“It already has [taken over my life] – This is everything for me. This is everything; whenever I go and do something, I’m all in. With Daggers, I’m all in, with all the publicity that I’m giving it.

Rex

“I just want Dagenham and Redbridge to perform at the highest level. I want all the fans to be supporting.

“I want them to love this club. I want them to come to games and just be obsessed with everything.

Every time we’ve been at home, the atmosphere’s been great. I was with the ultras today, and it was great, man.

“I loved it; Like the energy. They’re all standing up the whole time. I was just fully giving it, chances left, right and centre.

“It was a great time, and people watching the stream will look at it, and go, ‘You know what? This looks jokes. I want to be a part of this.’

“So yeah, that’s the goal. I want people to just come here, enjoy it and join the journey.”