A seismic transfer in Kenyan football has just landed in London. Collins Sichenje, the 22-year-old Harambee Stars centre-back, is poised to complete a career-defining switch to Charlton Athletic for €1.9 million, with only routine medical checks standing between him and the move. If sealed, Sichenje will write his name into club history as the first Kenyan to pull on the iconic Charlton shirt.
Deal details and the winning formula
The transfer sees Sichenje depart Serbian side Vojvodina, who will pocket €1.9 million up front and retain 20% of any future sale—a clause that ultimately swung the deal in Charlton’s favour despite higher bids from other suitors. Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids and League One’s Luton Town had both shown strong interest and reportedly offered larger immediate fees, but the sell-on percentage proved decisive.
Rise through Europe and rapid development
Sichenje’s rise has been swift and steady. He moved to Vojvodina from Swedish giants AIK in September 2024 for around €400,000, and the Serbian club have reaped a handsome return. During his spell in Novi Sad, he made 52 appearances. He scored once, developing into a composed, athletic defender with a growing reputation for reading the game and stepping into the challenge.
Across a seven-year professional journey, Sichenje’s CV includes stints at Green Commandos and AFC Leopards in Kenya, PAOK B in Greece, and KuPS in Finland—each stop sharpening the tools that now attract attention from England’s second tier.
A timely signing for Charlton’s survival push
Charlton arrives at this window in need of reinforcements. The Addicks sit 19th in the Championship, just three points clear of the relegation zone, and manager Nathan Jones will view Sichenje as a timely boost to a defence that must tighten up if the club is to secure its status. The young Kenyan’s blend of pace, physicality, and composure on the ball could make him a vital piece in Charlton’s survival puzzle.
What’s next
With medicals the final hurdle, all eyes now turn to London as Charlton prepare to welcome a player who not only strengthens their backline but also opens a new chapter for Kenyan football on the English stage. If the move is rubber-stamped, Collins Sichenje will step onto a bigger platform—and Charlton will gain a promising defender hungry to prove himself in one of the world’s most competitive leagues.
