Gabriel Rasmus, 30, of Chain Walk, Lozells, Birmingham, admitted preparing for terrorist acts and was arrested, alongside two other men, when they were found hiding in a truck at the Kent port of Dover in April 2015.
Rasmus comes from a Christian family and converted to Islam in 2008.
The jihadist had previously said a terrorist attack was an "option" if he had to stay in the UK.
He planned to "join forces with Islamic State to offer their services together with their lives if need be", according to prosecutor Karen Robinson at the Old Bailey.
The court was told that Rasmus said if he had to "stay in this country he would commit some terrorist attack here".
He later told the judge: "I think I've been portrayed as some crazy jihadi evil guy."
The court heard that in relation to the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris, Rasmus had said: "The brothers did a good job, man."
The Christian convert has been sentenced to more than four years behind bars.
