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KSI drops bombshell as Arsenal fan announces investment in English football team

YouTuber and Arsenal fan KSI has announced he has become a shareholder and strategic partner in an English football team with a bombshell statement

Stephen Killen Senior Sports Content Creator and Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter

18:31, 03 Mar 2026

KSI.

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(Image: Getty Images)

KSI has dramatically revealed that he is now the owner an English football club.

The YouTuber-turned-musician-turned professional boxer, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, has become a shareholder in the Dagenham and Redbridge. The National League South club confirmed that KSI will join the club as a shareholder.

Last month, it was confirmed that the club had been acquired by Happy Fan Group LLC, an investment group. The National League South side compete in the sixth tier of the English football league system, two promotions away from the Football League.

An exterior view of a large building with a modern architectural design. The structure features a prominent signboard on its façade, adorned with a logo and text. Red and white elements accentuate the building's facade. The scene also includes a metal fence and street lighting.

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(Image: PA)

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KSI becomes the latest to invest in the club just days after former England, Liverpool and Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll also became a shareholder.

Ardent Arsenal fan KSI is one of the key figures behind the YouTube scene in the United Kingdom, with the 32-year-old boasting over 17 million subscribers and over four billion views on his main channel, reports the Mirror.

He is also part of the YouTube supergroup, The Sidemen, who have revolutionised content creation on the platform with their high-quality videos but moving into the real world with their own brands and hosting numerous YouTube charity matches.

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In a post to his Instagram, he said: "I'm so excited to start this journey. It's gonna be a rollercoaster for sure but I hope to bring Dagenham and Redbridge back to the glory days.

"For those of you that are OG fans (Race to Division One), you'll know that this is a full circle moment for me. So join me on this exhilarating adventure and I'll see you all at Victoria road this Saturday! I'll be streaming too haha @daggersfcofficial."

During the video, he said: "I've done boxing, music, YouTube content, I've been around the world, I'm a man that does whatever he wants, you can never stop doing what you want. I'm going to buy Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club.

"The idea excites me so much. Years ago, I saw the happiness, the joy, I want to bring that back and surpass it. I want the place to be pumping, I want the place to be rocking, be an event when you come here.

"Playing a video game and owning a football club is very different 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 going to take time but realistic stages, I think getting out of this league and entering the National League.

"We need to improve the team, I have improvements to take it to another level. I know to some of you it might be scary, me being one of the owners, but I'm reachable. You can tweet me and I will see it. You can let your frustrations out or celebrate with me.

"I'm a fighter. I've broken my nose, broken my hand, broken my thumb, I've been in tough fights but with the Daggers, I'm going to keep fighting so that we can succeed. I'm just ready to get started."

The YouTuber references his Race to Division One series on FIFA which propelled him to household fame during the mid-2010s. Carroll was amongst those responding to the announcement, replying: "Let's do this [fire emoji]."

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Prior to the reveal, it was confirmed that Stephen Thompson MBE would resign from his position as Managing Director and depart the Board of Directors at the conclusion of March.

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