KSI, the landmark Portsmouth signing and move to high-profile outfit for former Fratton hopeful
KSI is in the headlines after leaving YouTube group the Sidemen, but the ‘super influencer’ has also been busy deepening the Pompey connections with his new football club.
He arrived nearly exactly five years ago as the first signing of a new era.
Liam Vincent joined Pompey as the maiden capture of Danny Cowley’s tenure as Fratton boss, in the wake of Kenny Jackett’s exit after four years at PO4.
KSI brings in Danny Cowley’s first Pompey signing
The left-sided talent arrived with high hopes amid the Covid pandemic, as he was handed a three-year deal when joining from National League outfit Bromley.
Vincent was never to be given a senior opportunity as he also dealt with injury issues in his time at Fratton Park, however, before leaving for Tonbridge Angels two years ago.
The 23-year-old proved his worth there in the National League South across an ever-present campaign, which saw him finish as the club’s top scorer.
A step up the fifth tier followed last summer with Sutton United, before a move to Dorking Wanderers on loan earlier this year.
Now Vincent has become a part of one of the big football stories of the summer, as he links up with ‘super influencer’ KSI at Dagenham & Redbridge.
KSI recently bought a minority stake in the London outfit, with one of his first moves seeing Pompey favourite Lee Bradbury leave his role as boss.
Vincent has become the 10th summer signing under new man at the helm, Lee Allinson, following in the footsteps of Buckland lad Nathan Ashmore who joined the club last month.
The aim is clear for Vincent with the target to put a promotion on his CV with the Daggers.
He told Daggers TV: ‘Daggers are a big club who’ve been in the league - and that’s probably where it should be,
‘When I spoke to the manager it was a no-brainer for me.
‘I know a bit about Lee and how he works, after speaking to him more the decision became a lot clearer for me.
‘You take different things from different clubs but, in this league, everyone seems to beat everyone and different teams show different challenges.
‘Every week it’s Saturday-Tuesday, so it’s a tough league and you have to be ready for every game, stay as fit as possible and be ready for each challenge.
‘I enjoyed my time at Tonbridge, we had a good group and I was able to play a lot of game - 45-50 games and score quite a few goals.
‘I enjoyed my time there and at Dorking we were going for the title. We didn’t get it in the end, but I enjoyed being at the top end, fighting for a title and understanding what it takes to win a league.
‘Hopefully I can bring that experience here.
‘I’m energetic, get up and done and want to get forward. I’m able to defend, best as a full-back and maybe wing-back - anywhere on the left-hand side I’m comfortable.
‘I’ve played on the right, so I’m comfortable in loads of position. I want to be positive, athletic, get at people and I want to make things happen. Hopefully we can have a successful season and get promotion.’