FootyChatter.com

KSI is a co-founder of the You Tuber group Sidemen and a co-owner of Prime Hydration You Tuber KSI has bought a minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge and says he wants to take the sixth-tier club to the Premier League. Daggers announced on Tuesday that long-serving managing director Stephen Thompson would stand down, external from his role and position on the board at the end of March. The club were relegated to National League South at the end of last season and are currently 13th in the table with 49 points. "I'm so excited to start this journey. It's gonna be a rollercoaster for sure but I hope to bring Dagenham & Redbridge back to the glory days, " KSI told the club's website. , external "And once we reach that point, I want to go even further. Reaching the Premier League would be a dream. And I believe it is 100% doable. "It will take a long time, so to the Daggers fans, please be patient. "I want you to know that I am fully committed to making sure Dagenham & Redbridge is a team that everyone will know worldwide, and will be an exciting team to watch and support. " The club called the involvement of the 32-year-old "its most significant strategic partnership to date". Andy Carroll joined Dagenham & Redbridge in July and became a share holder on 28 February KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, rose to fame as an online streamer and has more than 17m subscribers to his You Tube channel. He is also a musician, former boxer and a current judge on Britain's Got Talent alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon. Dagenham & Redbridge was formed in 1992 with the merger of two clubs - Dagenham and Redbridge Forest - and were promoted to League One for the first - and only time - in their history in 2009-10 but were relegated the following season. They dropped out of the English Football League in 2015-16 and were relegated to National League South on the final day of last season. KSI joins former England, Newcastle and West Ham striker Andy Carroll in investing, external in the club, following the recent takeover by Happy Fan Group Ltd. Carroll, 37, joined Daggers on a free transfer in July. Outgoing managing director Thompson has been made honorary life president after 45 years with the club. Thompson joined the club's management in 1981, before the merger in 1992, and became MD in 2007. He was awarded an MBE in 2013. He has also served on the board of the National League and has been a vocal advocate for the league's "3 Up" campaign, which would see a third promotion and relegation place added from the fifth tier to League Two. "Firstly, can I say that it has been a privilege to have been associated with the club for so long and the part I have been able to play over the years, " he said. , external "But with the takeover by the Happy Fan Group, I feel it is the right time to step down and hand the reins to the new owners. "As a lifelong supporter first, I wish them the very best for the club. I am also extremely humbled and honoured to have been made the club's honorary life president, and I thank the new board for their generosity. " Haaland? Kane? R9? Ranking the best centre-forwards this century Premier League: Build-up to four games, including Wolves v Liverpool Smith, Atkinson and Murley start in England revamp Conspiracy thriller, The Capture, is returning soon The playboy double agent who inspired James Bond Go on a treasure hunt with award-winning anime One Piece Prediction markets have exploded online but they're inviting scrutiny How to follow the Premier League on the BBC this week Haaland? Kane? R9? Ranking the best centre-forwards this century Satriano goal stuns Real Madrid. Video Satriano goal stuns Real Madrid Key areas for Scotland against champions France England have better spinners and can beat India in semi-final - Vaughan Should we have high hopes for Hamilton and Ferrari? F1 Q&A Can Chelsea kick-start faltering Palmer? 'I cheated head-injury assessment to play on in 2017 Lions Test' Arsenal set-pieces: Too effective or too boring? Video Arsenal set-pieces: Too effective or too boring? How can football's lawmakers fix Premier League corner chaos? 'I knew the risks, I'd do it again' - Moody opens up in new BBC documentary Reshuffled flights and players stuck - how sport is navigating Middle East crisis 'There were tears - but I had to peek behind curtain of head injuries in rugby' New era of Formula 1 - what is changing in 2026? Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week? Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months 'Hearts & Motherwell the winners after damaging Old Firm stalemate' 'Out of absolutely nothing' - Lamine Yamal's solo stunner. Video'Out of absolutely nothing' - Lamine Yamal's solo stunner Predict F1 drivers' and constructors' championships Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.