Charles Renken

Charles Bimbe-Renken (born December 19, 1993) is an American former soccer player.

Early life He was born as Charles Bimbe in the suburbs of Lusaka, Zambia. He moved to the United States in 2003 to live with the Renken family in Edwardsville, Illinois, and was officially adopted by the Renkens in 2005. Renken grew up in the soccer hotbed of Saint Louis, where he played on a number of local youth teams. Renken played 10 matches for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim's U19 team. Renken never made a first-team appearance with Hoffenheim, however, due to a series of knee injuries, and left the club.

Renken signed for the 2012 season with the Portland Timbers via the MLS waiver process. He played in all ten of the Timbers' reserve league matches,

Renken trialed with numerous clubs in Sweden but failed to sign with any, until signing with 7th-tier club Gimo IF FK, who he helped to promote to Sweden's 6th division.

In April 2014, Renken signed with USL Pro club Arizona United. On November 9, 2016, Saint Louis FC released Renken.

On May 26, 2017, Renken signed with USL club Seattle Sounders FC 2. He made his first appearance on May 28, 2017, in a 2–2 draw against Sacramento Republic.

For 2018 he joined NPSL side FC Columbus, late in the season.