Sichenje raring to go after move to Charlton Athletic

Harambee Stars defender Collins Sichenje after being unveiled by England Championship side Charlton Athletic/CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Collins Sichenje believes his move to Charlton Athletic is the step his career has been building towards, with the Kenyan international defender joining the English Championship club in a deal reported to be worth about Sh300 million.

Sichenje joined the south London club from Serbian SuperLiga side FK Vojvodina on a three-and-a-half-year contract running until the summer of 2029.

While Charlton declined to disclose the transfer fee, reports in Serbia and England indicate the deal is valued at approximately £1.7 million (Sh299,996,716.86), with Vojvodina believed to have retained a sell-on clause of around 20 per cent.

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“It feels amazing to be here,” Sichenje said after completing the transfer. “It’s a good club with good projects. I’m ready to start working.”

English football represents the next step in a journey that began in western Kenya and has taken Sichenje across several European leagues before his arrival in south London.

“It’s a big step for my career,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity to keep working, developing and helping the team. You need to stay humble and keep working.”

Charlton head coach Nathan Jones said the signing was the result of long-term planning rather than a reaction to January window pressures.

“We’re thrilled to add Collins,” Jones said. “He’s a defender we’ve been tracking for a long time.”

Jones said Sichenje fits the physical and tactical demands of the Championship.

“He’s aggressive, front-footed and attacks the ball,” Jones said. “That’s the DNA we want here.”

At 22, development remains central to the club’s thinking.

“He’s still young and someone who can grow with us and improve within our structure,” Jones added.

Sichenje described himself as a vocal defender who takes responsibility on the pitch.

“I’m fast, aggressive and talkative,” he said. “I like to organise. I’m a leader.”

Jones said those traits were clear.

“He communicates, he organises and he doesn’t shy away from responsibility,” he said. “Those qualities are difficult to teach.”

Harambee Stars defender Collins Sichenje after being unveiled by England Championship side Charlton Athletic/CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Born in Butere, Sichenje began his career at Green Commandos before moving to AFC Leopards in 2019. He later featured in Greece, Sweden, Finland and Serbia.

“He’s been exposed to different leagues and different demands,” Jones said. “That experience at his age is invaluable.”

Charlton managing director James Rodwell confirmed the club had initially planned to sign Sichenje in the summer as part of a multi-window recruitment strategy but moved earlier due to growing interest from other clubs.

Sichenje said discussions with Jones helped ease his transition.

“The manager has a lot of belief in me,” he said. “He’s been clear about what he expects, and I’m learning and adapting quickly.”

The defender trained with his new teammates at Sparrows Lane shortly after completing the move.

“The first impression is very good,” he said. “The training is intense, the group is motivated and the energy is good.”

Jones said Sichenje settled quickly.

“He trained well straight away,” the coach said. “You can see the athleticism and the hunger.”

Sichenje has earned eight caps for Kenya since making his Harambee Stars debut in 2021.

“International football tests you differently,” Jones said. “It helps accelerate maturity.”

Charlton host Queens Park Rangers in a London derby on Friday night, a fixture that could mark Sichenje’s debut.

“He’s played in hostile environments before,” Jones said. “He won’t shrink.”

Sichenje is Charlton’s seventh signing of the January transfer window, joining Harry Clarke, Lyndon Dykes, Luke Chambers, Tiernan Brooks, Jayden Fevrier and Conor Coady as the club reshapes its squad.

“We’re building something,” Jones said. “Every signing has a purpose.”

For Sichenje, the focus remains clear.

“I just want to work,” he said. “Develop, help the team and keep improving.”