He played there for two seasons before deciding, at the age of 19, to try his luck in Europe. Trials at Lille and Lazio were unsuccessful, but he caught the interest of a fourth-division club, Moissy-Cramayel. That was where he decided on his position in defence. Djilobodji told Nantes' official website that preferred to play in the midfield when he arrived in France but realised that at a towering 1.93 metres, he would could offer more at the back.