KSI targets Premier League for Daggers - but not as manager
The YouTuber, former professional boxer, music artist and all-round entrepreneur recently purchased a minority stake in the London-based National League South club. His arrival has brought a wave of attention to the sixth-tier side and has coincided with striker Andy Carroll becoming a shareholder, before taking over as caretaker manager in March. And KSI, who coaches a team in six-a-side indoor Baller League, says he has no intention of taking over from the former England striker on a permanent basis.
Instead, the 32-year-old plans to use his influence to help grow the club's profile and following, and hopes to one day help them get to the Premier League, whether it takes "five, 10, 15 or 20 years". "I'd like to do my own journey. I want to do things my way and I was born and bred through social media," he told BBC London Sport.
"I feel like my expertise in social media will help Dagenham & Redbridge be a worldwide club. "I'm not focusing on just England, I'm focusing on the world. I want the world to know about the Daggers.
" Why are celebrities buying stakes in football clubs? KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, and Carroll's investment announcements followed a takeover of the club by Happy Fan Group Ltd in February. Last month, Dagenham's league game with Hampton & Richmond became the first National League fixture to be live streamed on YouTube when it went out on his channel to an audience of more than 17m followers.
"We're bringing a completely different audience to Dagenham & Redbridge. And that has always been my goal," KSI added. "Bit by bit we're going to just build the fanbase, build the foundation and use that to elevate us.