- “Happy and honored to have scooped the Kuopion Palloseura Young Player of The Season Award.”
- The 20-year-old’s current market value according to the transfer market stands at €400,000 (Sh63 million).
Image: HANDOUT
Harambee Stars defender Collins Lusaka Sichenje has been named the 2023 Kuopion Palloseura FC Young Player of the Season.
Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) is a Finnish football club that plays in Finland’s top-flight league, Veikkausliiga.
The Kenyan international has been on loan at the club from Swedish side AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) since March.
He expressed his joy after being honored by the club as well as thanking the club and its fans for their support throughout his loan period. He is set to return to his parent club.
“Happy and honored to have scooped the Kuopion Palloseura Young Player of The Season Award,” he said.
“It has been a wonderful season in Finland. Thanks to the club management and fans for the incredible support throughout the season.”
Sichenje started his football career in the Green Commandos, a name given to Kenyan Secondary school games giants Kakamega High School.
He would later join AFC Leopards in 2019 till 2021. His outstanding time, though short, at the den saw him earn his maiden call-up to the national team in 2020.
After impressive moments with Ingwe, Sichenje was signed by PAOK B and was part of the Greek side between 2020 and 2021, but he did not quite settle and ended up returning to the den.
His return to Ingwe was however shortlived as AIK came knocking for the burley defender.
Although the AIK move came with many expectations, he did not quite settle and moved on loan to KuPS.
Sichenje and KuPS suffered a massive heartbreak on the final day of the Finland Premier League as HJK Helsinki won the Veikkausliiga on goal difference.
KuPS needed to outscore their opponents by at least three goals in the final Championship Group clash but ended up watching the leaders celebrate their 33rd domestic title, with Sichenje's side settling for a silver medal.
They however effectively sealed a place in next season's UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
KuPS have won the Finnish championship six times, the Finnish Cup on four occasions and the Finnish League Cup once.
The 20-year-old’s current market value according to the transfer market stands at €400,000 (Sh63 million).