Charlton snaps up Kenyan defender Collins Sichenje in a move that’s got football fans in England and back home in Kenya buzzing loud. The 22-year-old centre-back sealed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Championship side, coming straight from Serbian club FK Vojvodina.
The Addicks made it official just yesterday, calling it a big catch they’ve eyed for months. Managing director James Rodwell didn’t hide the excitement. He said the club tracked Sichenje for ages and even budgeted him for summer but pulled the trigger early to lock him down now.
Smart play, really — gives the young man time to settle before next season ramps up. Manager Nathan Jones piled on praise too, calling him aggressive, quick, and just what their back line needs in a tough league.
Fee stays quiet, as usual with these deals, but whispers put it near £2 million. That’s serious money for a player who only joined Vojvodina last year from Swedish side AIK.
The Serbs pocket a nice profit, and nobody blames them. Sichenje turned heads there, playing over 50 games, holding down defence steady. Before that, stints in Greece with PAOK’s reserve team sharpened him up quickly.
Kenya celebrates hard. Harambee Stars followers flooded social media with proud posts the moment news dropped. One viral clip showed fans in Nairobi bars cheering like they’d won a match.
“Finally, one of ours hitting the Championship proper,” somebody wrote on X, racking up thousands of likes fast. Sichenje has earned eight caps already, debuting back in 2021 with a clean sheet against South Sudan. Coaches rate him high for reading games and winning headers — old-school defending with modern speed.
He wasted no time sharing thoughts in his first interview as an Addick. Sat there smiling wide, shirt on, he said straight: “It feels amazing to be here. I’m ready to go.” Simple words, but they hit.
You could tell the move means everything. Growing up tough, he talked once about football pulling him through hard times. Now London calls, the Valley waits, and big crowds expect results.
Charlton sits mid-table right now, scratching for consistency after promotion. They shipped in seven new faces this January alone — names like Conor Coady bringing experience, others adding bite up top.
Sichenje slots in as fresh blood at the back, maybe starting soon against Queens Park Rangers this weekend. Rivals like Luton Town and even Colorado Rapids in MLS sniffed around, but Charlton won the race.
Back in Serbia, Vojvodina wished him well publicly. Fans there remember his steady play, one goal even. Kenyan outlets ran headlines screaming pride — another player breaking Europe proper after trails blazed by guys like Victor Wanyama or McDonald Mariga years back.
Social feeds keep lighting up. Clips of his highlights circulate — strong tackles, calm on the ball, that tall frame dominating boxes. Charlton supporters joke already about new chants, something with lions or Kenya vibes. One forum thread exploded with welcome messages and lineup guesses.
This transfer feels bigger than numbers. Young African talent heading to competitive English football, earning it step by step. No shortcuts, just work. Sichenje lands ready to prove doubters wrong, help Charlton climb, and represent Kenya loudly.
Plenty watch close now. First training sessions, debut minutes, how he handles the pace. Pressure comes quick in the Championship; there’s no hiding. But the lad looks built for it. Kenya holds its breath; Charlton hopes high. Welcome to the big stage, Collins. Make it count.
