Exclusive Interview: Dje D'Avilla on Joining the Chicago Fire, Professional Goals

Dje D’Avilla wanted to be a member of the Chicago Fire and there were plenty of clubs that were fighting for his signature over the last year.

The Ivorian midfielder signed a permanent deal with the Fire in April from UD Leiria, Portugal’s second tier, and has now made five appearances for Chicago in all competitions, including playing the entirety of the Fire’s win over Detroit City in the US Open Cup.

D’Avilla’s soccer journey saw him turn pro in 2020, and he’s since played in the Ivory Coast and United Arab Emirates before making the move to Portugal in 2020. Those stops helped the young midfielder prepare for the adjustments he’s had to make in Chicago, particularly after the deal to acquire his services came together quite quickly.

“It’s different football in a different country, even the time,” D’Avilla told On Tap Sports Net. “Everything is new for me. I need to adapt myself for the new facility, everything is nice. We are going good with the coach and with my teammates too, trying to understand how the team is playing and to give my best everyday to be better.”

The style of soccer had been an adjustment for the midfielder, and it’s taken him a few weeks to get himself acclimated to his new sporting surroundings. The pace of MLS stood out to him after his first few appearances.

“Here the football is going in transition, fast, fast, fast. It’s a different level too, and it’s a good level. I think I need to improve on playing faster, understanding what the coach wants. When I understand these things, I think I'm gonna be really good on the pitch.”

D’Avilla, who turned 22 on May 5, had to adapt quickly when he joined. Chicago fought off the likes of Leeds United and the Premier League’s Brighton and Hove Albion for D’Avilla’s services. It all came down to a discussion with the Fire’s Sporting Director Gregg Broughton that showed the franchise’s goals aligned with D’Avilla, who would like to return to European football as a better player in a few years' time.

“They have some dreams for me, and me too, I have some goals. I think [Chicago] is the good place to come and to develop myself to keep working. I think I made a good choice is even though some people said I could stay in Europe. And when you are young, you can play there too. I don't think I made a bad choice. If I play well here, who said I cannot go back in Europe with a good team?”

D’Avilla was training with Swiss Super League side FC Lugano, which is also owned by Fire chairman Joe Mansueto, before he acquired his visa. D’Avilla credited former Fire loanee Ousmane Doumbia for his honesty when he asked about playing for the Fire in 2023.

“We talked a little bit. I asked what he thought about [Chicago]. He told me the championship is growing and he thinks now is a really good opportunity for me to develop myself and to progress in my football too.”

The midfielder’s first week with Chicago included the Fire’s contest against Inter Miami. For most, that match was an opportunity to showcase his skillset in front of a global audience. D’Avilla was focused on playing well in front of his idol, Sergio Busquets, and the Fire’s midfielder not only got in the game but snagged the Spanish legend’s kit afterwards.

“And my first week here, it was too great. I came two, three days earlier and we played Miami against all the players you're always watching on TV, like [Sergio] Busquets. I got the bit because I love him, you know? As a player I’m always trying to watch him even before the game. I was watching one video of him because I always do it when I want to play. I need to see some videos of all the guys in the top level. So that first week, it was great.”

You’ll notice that D’Avilla wears number 42, which is an homage to Ivorian superstar and current assistant coach for Saudi Arabia’s national team Yaya Touré.

“Since I started to play in my country, people put this name on me. And I think we have something similar, like playing [style], the body shape, you know? Then I start with 42, and I cannot leave. Now I just want to play with that.”

Follow @soccer_ontap on X for more Chicago Fire news and updates!