 Born in Kinshasa, René Makondele started his career in DRC with Kinshasa City.He then was spotted by Swedish scouts from Djurgårdens IF who brought him to Sweden, alongside Yannick Bapupa and Blaise Mbemba.During his time in Djurgårdens IF he mostly came on as a substitute, and in 2005 he was loaned out to Allsvenskan rivals Gefle IF.