COLLINS SICHENJE LUSAKA
| NAME | COLLINS SICHENJE LUSAKA |
| AGE | 22 YEARS |
| GENDER | MALE |
| OCCUPATION | FOOTBALL PLAYER |
Collins Lusaka Sichenje is a Kenyan centre-back (defender) who has risen from grassroots football to the English Championship with Charlton Athletic FC.
Early Life and Background
Collins Lusaka Sichenje was born on September 19, 2003, in Butere, western Kenya.
He grew up in a football‑focused environment and began playing the game at a young age.
His early development took place at Green Commandos, a local youth side currently playing in the National Super League (NSL), which helped shape his defensive skills and introduced him to structured competitive football.
A right‑footed centre‑back, Sichenje stood out early for his height and physical strength.
His performances at the youth level earned him a move into senior football while still a teenager.
Professional Career
Start of senior career in Kenya
Collins Sichenje began his senior career with AFC Leopards, one of Kenya’s most established clubs, after joining the team in September 2019.
Promoted from youth football while still a teenager, he was introduced to top‑flight competition in the Kenyan Premier League.
He made one league appearance for the club, gaining early exposure to senior football and professional training standards.
Also Read: Profile of Charles Akonnor, Gor Mahia’s New Mastermind and Coach
His time at AFC Leopards marked his transition from youth development into the professional game and laid the foundation for his move to Europe.
Move to Europe
In July 2021, Sichenje moved to Europe for the first time after signing for PAOK B in Greece.
The team competes in the country’s second division and serves as a development side for PAOK Thessaloniki.
He did not make a competitive appearance during his time there and later returned to Kenya.
In 2022, he secured a move to Sweden after signing a four‑year contract with AIK, one of the country’s leading clubs.
He made his debut in the Swedish top flight, the Allsvenskan, on August 7, 2022, starting in a league match against Kalmar FF.
During his time at AIK, he made eight league appearances and featured in domestic cup and continental fixtures.
He did not score during his spell with the Swedish side.
In March 2023, AIK loaned Sichenje to Finnish club KuPS Kuopio for the full season.
He became a regular member of the starting lineup in the Veikkausliiga, Finland’s top division.
He made 20 league appearances and played 23 matches across all competitions.
KuPS finished the season as league runners‑up.
At the end of the campaign, the club did not activate the option to sign him permanently, and he returned to AIK.
On July 11, 2024, Sichenje joined Serbian SuperLiga side FK Vojvodina on an initial six‑month loan.
Also Read: From Mathare Slums to FIFA: The Pioneering Journey of Doreen Nabwire
His performances in defence quickly earned him a regular place in the team. In September 2024, Vojvodina made the transfer permanent and handed him a three‑year contract.
He went on to make 39 league appearances for the club and scored one goal.
Across all competitions, he featured in more than 50 matches, marking the most consistent period of his club career and raising his profile in European football.
Move to the English Championship
On February 2, 2026, Sichenje completed a transfer to Charlton Athletic, a London‑based club competing in the English Championship.
He signed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year contract after joining from FK Vojvodina.
The transfer fee was reported to be about €1.9 million (Ksh288.933 million), with a sell‑on clause included in the deal. The move made him the first Kenyan footballer to sign for Charlton Athletic.
Sichenje received his first call‑up to the Kenya national team, Harambee Stars, in 2020.
He made his senior debut in March 2021 in a friendly match against South Sudan, which Kenya won 1–0.
He has since earned eight international caps and scored one goal for the national team.
At 22, he has featured professionally in Kenya, Greece, Sweden, Finland, Serbia, and England, building one of the most wide‑ranging club careers among Kenyan defenders of his generation.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
