Collins Sichenje: Kenyan defender praised by Charlton coach

After completing his transfer to EFL Championship side Charlton Athletic, Kenya national team defender Collins Sichenje has received praise from manager Nathan Jones as he prepares to debut for the club.

The 22-year-old put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal with the club after moving from Serbian SuperLiga side FK Vojvodina for an undisclosed fee.

Collins Sichenje’s first training session 💪#cafc pic.twitter.com/ogxFNFgpoZ

— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) February 3, 2026

Sichenje became the Addicks’ seventh signing of the window following the arrivals of Harry Clarke, Lyndon Dykes, Luke Chambers, Tiernan Brooks, Jayden Fevrier and Conor Coady.

‘We’re delighted to sign Collins’

Discussing his decision to sign the player, Jones, said as quoted by Charlton website: “We’re thrilled to add Collins, who is a defender that we’ve been tracking for a long, long time.

“He’s an aggressive, front-footed centre-back who is only 22 years of age, so he’s one that can grow with us and one that we’re excited to be welcoming to the football club.”

Charlton Managing Director James Rodwell welcomed the move to sign the former AFC Leopards player. He said: “We’re delighted to sign Collins.

“He’s a player we’ve been tracking for a long time and was originally budgeted to join us this summer as part of our multi-window strategy to move the club forward.

Sichenje has represented Kenya eight times

“We’re pleased that the opportunity arose for him to join us earlier than we expected and are grateful to the ownership for their support in enabling us to bring him to the football club at this stage.”

How to pronounce Collins Sichenje, from the man himself 🗣️#cafc pic.twitter.com/eR9qTmkdpo

— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) February 3, 2026

Sichenje started his career with Green Commandos before moving to Kenyan Premier League side AFC Leopards in September 2019. Following a brief spell in Greece with PAOK B, the centre-back returned to AFC Leopards before joining Swedish top-flight side AIK in 2022.

After spending the 2023-24 campaign on loan with Finnish outfit KuPS Kuopio, he joined FK Vojvodina on an initial six-month loan, with the move made permanent in September 2024 following an impressive start to life in Serbia.

Sichenje has represented Kenya eight times to date, having made his debut in a 1-0 win over South Sudan in March 2021.

Charlton’s busy transfer window continues

Sichenje became Charlton’s seventh signing of the January window, joining a list of notable arrivals that includes Harry Clarke, Lyndon Dykes, Luke Chambers, Tiernan Brooks, Jayden Fevrier, and experienced defender Conor Coady.

The flurry of activity underlines Charlton’s ambition to strengthen their squad as they push for improved league performance in the second half of the season.

Charlton Managing Director James Rodwell also welcomed the signing, revealing that the club had initially planned to bring Sichenje in at a later stage.

“We’re delighted to sign Collins. He’s a player we’ve been tracking for a long time and was originally budgeted to join us this summer as part of our multi-window strategy to move the club forward,” Rodwell said.

“We’re pleased that the opportunity arose for him to join us earlier than we expected and are grateful to the ownership for their support in enabling us to bring him to the football club at this stage.”

From Nairobi to Europe: Sichenje’s football journey

Sichenje’s rise has been built on steady progression rather than overnight success. He began his football journey with Green Commandos, a grassroots side in Kenya, before earning a move to AFC Leopards in September 2019.

His performances in the Kenyan Premier League quickly attracted attention abroad, leading to a short spell in Greece with PAOK B. After returning briefly to AFC Leopards, the defender secured a move to Swedish top-flight club AIK in 2022.

Seeking regular game time, Sichenje spent the 2023–24 season on loan at Finnish side KuPS Kuopio, where his consistent performances further enhanced his reputation. That form earned him a loan move to FK Vojvodina, which was made permanent in September 2024 after an impressive start in Serbia.