Ikechukwu Sunny Smart Orji is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Dartford.
Career Orji began his senior career with Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club Chatham Town in 2019, following time in the academies at both Maidstone United and Chatham Town. In March 2021, Orji went on trial with League One club Gillingham. He was a part of the Chatham squad that were promoted as runners-up from the 2021–22 SCEFL Premier Division.
In January 2023, Orji attracted interest from League Two clubs Crawley Town and Gillingham, joining the latter on 9 February, returning to Chatham Town on loan until the end of the season. Following his return to the club, he played a key role as the club achieved back-to-back promotions as Isthmian League South East Division Champions.
In October 2023, he made his first-team professional debut for Gillingham, featuring in a 5–1 EFL Trophy defeat to Portsmouth, making his first league appearance eleven days later as a 79th minute substitute in a 1–2 loss to Notts County. On 4 December 2023, he joined National League South club Welling United on an initial one-month loan deal. On 16 March 2024 he joined Hemel Hempstead Town, also of the National League South, on loan.
On 15 May 2024, Gillingham announced he would be released in the summer when his contract expired.
On 7 August 2024, following a successful trial, Orji signed for National League South side Chelmsford City. In September 2024, he joined Cray Wanderers.
On 6 August 2025, Orji joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Billericay Town. In October 2025, he joined divisional rivals Folkestone Invicta. He made eighteen appearances for the club as Folkestone were crowned Isthmian Premier Division champions for the 2025–26 season.
On 21 August 2026, he returned to the Isthmian League Premier Division, joining Dartford.
Style of play Upon signing for Gillingham, manager Neil Harris described Orji as an "attack-minded wing-back" with "great end product, huge pace and energy", with the Kent Messenger likening Orji's playing style to West Ham United right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsChatham Town2022–23Isthmian League South East Division18130—10221Gillingham2022–23League Two00000000002023–24League Two1000001020Total1000001020Chatham Town (loan)2022–23Isthmian League South East Division13000—00130Welling United (loan)2023–24National League South4000—2060Hemel Hempstead Town (loan)2023–24National League South60——0060Chelmsford City2024–25National League South3000—0030Cray Wanderers2024–25 Isthmian League Premier Division35120—20391Billericay Town2025–26 Isthmian League Premier Division7050—00120Folkestone Invicta2025–26 Isthmian League Premier Division180——00180Career total105210000601212
Honours Folkestone Invicta Isthmian League Premier League: 2025–26
References