Patrice Evra says KSI will be a serious owner for Dagenham & Redbridge

For almost a decade now, the latest craze among the influential, rich, popular, and famous has no longer been just any kind of investment. From property and fancy cars to personal clothing brands and alcoholic drinks, more and more celebrities are investing heavily in professional sports teams. While some, like LeBron James, have a small stake in major organisations like Liverpool FC, others, like Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, did it differently. Their now world famous experiment with Wrexham has proven successful as they saw the team promoted several times, now playing in the Championship, England’s second tier football league. 

More recently, popular content creator, YouTuber, singer, online celebrity, writer, and actor KSI did something similar. He is not a minority owner of the East London, fifth tier football side Dagenham & Redbridge. As his latest project, the ultra successful and famous internet personality KSI, is sure to be heavily involved. If you are a fan of intriguing football stories and enjoy supporting smaller teams on their way to glory, read on to learn more about this development. In addition, learn what was said in the exclusive Stake.com interview with Patrice Evra about this topic, as the legend of English football shares his views on the matter. 

KSI Becomes a Minority Owner of Dagenham & Redbridge

In early March 2026, YouTuber, musician, and boxer KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, announced that he had purchased a minority stake in the English non league club Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. The investment marked a surprising but significant crossover between internet culture and traditional football, thereby bringing one of the world’s most recognizable digital creators into the ownership structure of a sixth tier English team. It is the latest example of celebrities purchasing ownership in sports clubs, a trend that only seems to be picking up every year.

The club, currently competing in the National League South, had recently undergone a change in ownership led by the investment consortium Happy Fan Group, fronted by businessman John Grabowski. KSI’s arrival as a shareholder and strategic partner was seen as a bold move designed to inject global visibility, new revenue opportunities, and a different kind of ambition into the East London club. Reports suggest that KSI acquired a roughly 20% minority stake in the club, joining an ownership group that already included former England striker Andy Carroll, who is both a player and shareholder. 

A New Era for a Lower League Club

For Dagenham & Redbridge F.C., KSI’s involvement could represent a turning point. The club was relegated to the sixth tier after the 2024-25 season and has been working to rebuild its sporting and financial foundations. KSI has openly stated that his long term dream is to help the club climb the English football pyramid, ideally, all the way to the Premier League for the first time ever. That is a tall task, of course, and while such a goal is extremely ambitious given the massive gap between the sixth tier and England’s top flight, it reflects the aspirational tone the new ownership group wants to set. 

The YouTuber has framed the project as a “real life version” of his earlier FIFA gaming series, where he attempted to take teams to the top divisions. That connection between gaming culture and real world football has become a central narrative around the investment. Except for the sporting ambition, KSI’s enormous online following that spans tens of millions across YouTube, music, and social media offers the club something most teams at that level could never normally access: global exposure and an influx of new supporters. Analysts suggest that this digital reach could bring new sponsorships, international fans, and media opportunities to a club that previously operated on a far smaller stage. 

The Wider Ownership Group

Although KSI’s arrival dominated headlines, he is only one part of a broader ownership structure. The club was recently acquired by the Happy Fan Group, with John Grabowski leading the consortium and overseeing the club’s strategic direction. Remember, the YouTuber “only” has 20% ownership stake. 

Another notable figure in the ownership group is Andy Carroll, a former England international striker known for his time at clubs such as Liverpool and Newcastle United. Carroll has taken on a dual role at the club, both as a player and an investor, bridging the gap between the boardroom and the pitch. He is going to be the most instrumental in the locker room, both as an experienced voice and a role model. 

This mix of investors features traditional sports figures, business executives, and internet personalities, and represents a modern approach to club ownership. Instead of relying solely on wealthy benefactors who only see the figures and care little about the fans and the club, this group is experimenting with a model that combines financial investment with digital influence and entertainment value.

The Reaction from Fans

The reaction from the football world was immediate and mixed. Among supporters of Dagenham & Redbridge F.C., there was a strong sense of excitement about the possibilities that KSI’s involvement could bring. When he attended his first match as an owner, attendance nearly doubled compared to typical home games, highlighting the curiosity and enthusiasm surrounding his presence and ushering in a new era of filled stands for the home games. Many fans welcomed the attention and publicity that the influencer could generate. For a club in the lower tiers of English football, the ability to attract global media coverage and new audiences could be transformative.

However, there were also skeptics. Some traditional football supporters questioned whether celebrity involvement risks turning clubs into marketing projects rather than community institutions. The debate mirrors earlier reactions to other celebrity ownership stories. Online, the announcement quickly went viral. Fans across social media platforms reacted with a mix of humor, disbelief, and curiosity. Many comments referenced the idea that a YouTuber who once played football video games online was now trying to replicate that journey in real life. 

The news also sparked comparisons to the famous takeover of Wrexham A.F.C. by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (Rob Mack). That project famously transformed Wrexham’s global profile through a documentary series and heavy social media promotion. KSI appears to be following a similar path. A documentary style series about the club’s journey, titled “Race to the Top,” is already in development and will chronicle the process of trying to elevate the team through the football pyramid. 

What does Patricia Evra think?

Premier League legend and Stake.com ambassador Patrice Evra was asked about his views on the matter in a recent interview with Stake. Answering whether he thinks this could be another Wrexham story, he said the following:

“KSI loves football; he can definitely do something similar to what Ryan Reynolds has done at Wrexham. We have some banter sometimes because he’s an Arsenal fan. I’m really happy for him. I own my football team, Estrela da Amadora, and maybe we can play some friendlies.

People don’t like the fact these influencers who got into boxing are now coming into football, but I wish him all the best. If he needs any help, I’d be happy to be there for him.”

He was also asked whether he thinks KSI will be a serious owner, considering his trademark demeanour online. Evra had this to share:

“A funny person is the most serious person when he has to work. It doesn’t matter what you put online, like myself, I like to joke and be crazy, but when it comes to work and “win, those people know what to do. What I say to the Dagenham and Redbridge fans is, look at where KSI has come from, and look where he is now on top of the world. If he’s buying your football club, it’s because he can invest money, he wants to take this seriously, and he wants to win. I wouldn’t be worried at all.”

Talking about celebrities getting into English football, mainly Snoop Dog with Swansea, Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham nearing the Premier League, Tom Brady’s Birmingham City building a giant new stadium, and Todd Boehly owning Chelsea, Evra said:

“I’ve seen Snoop Dog and a lot of American involvement in English football recently. A lot of the older generation are asking, ‘What is going on? What is this circus?’ But this is the new generation. You have to adapt. Those people are making serious money, so why not include them? Whatever Snoop Dog has done throughout his career to stay at the top, that’s the same mentality he will do in his business with Swansea. These people are going to create more attention, more sponsors, and more money for their clubs. Most of the owners of football clubs know nothing about football, so I support these kinds of things.”

KSI Interesting Trivia and Facts 

• His name has a meaning
  “KSI” originally stood for Knowledge, Strength, Integrity. He used it in his early gaming username KSIOlajideBT.
  
• He started on YouTube with FIFA videos
  KSI first gained popularity by posting funny commentary while playing the popular FIFA series.
  
• Part of the Sidemen
  KSI is a founding member of the British YouTube group Sidemen, alongside creators like Miniminter and Zerkaa.
  
• He fought Logan Paul twice
  KSI boxed Logan Paul in two massive influencer boxing events. The first fight, KSI vs. Logan Paul, was a 2018 amateur boxing match that ended in a draw. The rematch was KSI vs. Logan Paul II, where KSI won by split decision. He has also fought Joe Weller, which helped kickstart the influencer boxing trend.
  
• Multiple UK #1 albums
  His album All Over the Place debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart in 2021, making him one of the most successful musician YouTubers.
  
• Helped create PRIME Hydration
  KSI co founded the sports drink brand Prime Hydration with Logan Paul, a business endeavor that quickly became a viral global product, mostly among teenagers and young adults.
  
• Once had beef with his brother
  KSI’s younger brother, Deji Olatunji, also became a YouTuber and boxer. The two had a public falling out before eventually reconciling.
  
• He has acted in movies
  KSI appeared in the British comedy film Laid in America with fellow YouTuber Caspar Lee.
  
• Author of a best selling autobiography
  His book KSI: I Am a Bellend became a Sunday Times bestseller.

Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club FAQs

1. When was Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. founded?

Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. is a professional football club from East London, England. The club was formed in 1992 through a merger between Dagenham F.C. and Redbridge Forest F.C., a move that combined their histories and unified their supporter bases.

2. Where does Dagenham & Redbridge play their home games?

The club plays at Victoria Road, often referred to by fans as “The Chigwell Construction Stadium.” The ground has a capacity of just over 6,000 and has been the club’s home since its formation.

3. What league does Dagenham & Redbridge compete in?

The Daggers currently compete in the National League, which is the fifth tier of English football, just below the English Football League system.

4. Has Dagenham & Redbridge ever played in the Football League?

Yes. The club reached the English Football League for the first time in 2010 after winning the 2009-10 Conference Premier play off final at Wembley Stadium. They competed in League Two until 2016.

5. What is the nickname of Dagenham & Redbridge?

The club’s nickname is “The Daggers.” It’s a simple abbreviation derived from the “Dag” in Dagenham.

6. Who are Dagenham & Redbridge’s main rivals?

Local rivalries exist with clubs such as Leyton Orient F.C. and Barnet F.C., with matches between them often drawing strong fan interest.

7. What is the club’s biggest achievement?

One of the club’s most significant achievements was winning promotion to the Football League in 2010. It marked the highest level the club has reached in English football.

8. Who are some notable players who have played for the club?

Several players who later enjoyed successful careers passed through the club, including Dwight Gayle, who went on to play in the Premier League with clubs like Crystal Palace F.C. and Newcastle United F.C.

9. What are the club’s traditional colors?

The team traditionally plays in the classic combination of red and blue, colors that have become closely associated with the club’s identity and branding.

10. What role does the club play in its local community?

Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. is deeply involved in community programs across East London. They actively run youth academies, school partnerships, and local outreach initiatives to promote football and healthy lifestyles.

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