Fast-rising Shichenje joins Swedish top flight club
Sweden top-flight club AIK has announced the signing of Kenyan international midfielder Collins Shichenje on a contract that extends until December 31, 2026.
Shichenje joins the Swedish club from Kenya Premier League side AFC Leopards who have currently lost key players during the current transfer window.
The fast-rising midfielder had rejoined Ingwe in the 2022 January transfer window after a failed move to Greece to join PAOK FC in 2021.
Shichenje, a utility player who can double as a central defender and as a defensive midfielder, joins his former schoolmates and countrymen at the famous Kakamega High School left back Eric “Marcelo” Ouma and Henry Meja.
“Coming to AIK is like a dream for me. I could not have come to a better club at this stage of my career. I know both Otieno and Meja who play in the team both have said very good things about the club to me,” Collins said.
This move comes a day after Leopards lost two key players – Marvin Nabwire and Daniel Musamali who have been recruited to join the National Police Service.
Shichenje has been seen live by AIK representatives several times in the Kenyan league, most recently in early March 2022 when chief scout Tobias Ackerman was down in Africa and saw him on site.
The towering utility has already debuted for the national men’s senior team Harambee Stars player where Kenya recorded a 1-0 win over neighbours South Sudan at the Nyayo national stadium in Nairobi.
Shichenje becomes third player from the Kenyan top tier league to join the Sweden Allsvenskan league in less than a year after Henry Meja (AIK) from Tusker FC and Frank Odhiambo (IF Djurgardens) from Gor Mahia.
AFC Leopards yesterday appointed Eugene Mukangula as the new for the remainder of the season after former immediate captain Marvin Nabwire and midfielder Daniel Musamali moved to KPL opponents Police FC.
The two were recently involved in the National Police Service (NPS) recruiting exercise and were absorbed after a successful process.
At the beginning of the season, close to 14 first-team players decamped Ingwe for other FKF Premier League clubs but a quick fix by head coach Patrick Aussems ensured that the team, most of the youth team graduates were assembled and registered just in time for League.
