KSI celebrated his debut as co-owner of Dagenham and Redbridge in style, with the team clinching a 1-0 victory over Dorking Wanderers on Saturday afternoon in East London.
The multi-talented YouTuber, rapper, boxer, and Britain’s Got Talent judge made headlines earlier this week by announcing his investment in the National League South club, taking on the role of strategic partner.
“I want to share with the world that something big is in the works,” he revealed. “I’ve explored boxing, music, YouTube, television, global tours—you name it, I’ve done it. For me, the pursuit of more is never-ending.”
On Saturday, the 32-year-old star was present at Dagenham’s Victoria Road stadium to witness his new team face off against Dorking, attracting considerable attention with his appearance.
Known to fans as Olajide Olayinka Williams ‘JJ’ Olatunji, KSI was warmly welcomed by supporters as he arrived for the match.
KSI got off to a winning start with National League South side Dagenham and Redbridge
KSI was announced as a co-owner of the club on Tuesday and attended their game on Saturday
He took time to engage with fans, posing for photos and signing shirts, programs, and scarves for his enthusiastic admirers.
When the match kicked off, KSI, who was wearing a Daggers away shirt, was seen sitting next to former England and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.
Carroll, who joined Dagenham last summer but is currently injured, also holds a minority stake in the club.
Carroll’s children were alongside him and were desperate to get a selfie and autograph from KSI.
The 32-year-old even live streamed his time at the game, with a camera following his and Carroll’s every move in the stands.
The pair were mic’d up and both celebrated wildly when Aramide Oteh scored the decisive goal in the second half, with the stream on YouTube having 220,000 views at the time of writing.
KSI’s impact was evident elsewhere too. The attendance for the match was 2,281, up more than 1,000 on last Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by AFC Totton.
The result saw the Daggers rise to 12th in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football, which is five promotions away from KSI’s stated desire of reaching the Premier League with the club.
KSI was sitting next to former England and Liverpool Andy Carroll, who plays for Dagenham and also holds a minority stake in the club
KSI live streamed the game and he and Carroll celebrated wildly when Dagenham scored
Speaking earlier this week when announcing his arrival, he had said: ‘It’s surreal, bro, out of this world. The idea of it excites me so much.
‘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 it 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, I know that, but with Race to Division One (his Fifa YouTube series), it was a journey. It was hard, but in the end, I did it.’
KSI continued: ‘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 the realistic goal is getting out of this league and entering the National League.
‘We need to improve the team, make some additions that really take it to another level, and I want to build the community.’
