Diego Juan Konincks Bio
Diego Juan Konincks is a Dutch footballer who plays for Pacific FC in the Canadian Premier League. Standing 188 centimeters tall, Konincks developed as a defender during a long youth career in the Netherlands before moving to the United States for college soccer. Since turning professional in 2021, he has played in the United States and Canada, building a reputation as a steady and versatile back-line player.
Konincks is recognized for his leadership qualities and was team captain of Chicago Fire FC II during the 2025 season. His college career featured multiple all-conference honors, including Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Diego Juan Konincks was born on 30 November 2000 in Montfoort, a small city in the Netherlands. He grew up in Montfoort and first began playing youth football at the age of four. That early introduction to the sport laid the foundation for the rest of his career in the game.
He joined the local club Montfoort SV ’19 at age four and remained with the club for fourteen years, progressing through each youth level. The long stint at Montfoort SV ’19 gave Konincks a strong technical base and a deep understanding of the defensive side of football before he eventually moved abroad.
Path to Soccer
Konincks followed a non-traditional path into professional football by first pursuing a college career in the United States. In 2019, he moved to the United States and enrolled at Midland University in Nebraska, joining the Midland Warriors men’s soccer program that competed in the NAIA. On September 30, 2019, he scored his first collegiate goal in a 2-0 victory over the Mount Marty Lancers. At the end of his debut season, he was recognized with a selection to the All-Great Plains Athletic Conference Second Team.
In 2020, he transferred to Campbell University in North Carolina to play NCAA Division I soccer for the Campbell Fighting Camels. He was quickly trusted with a leadership role, being named vice-captain ahead of his first season. Across three seasons at Campbell, Konincks earned repeated all-conference recognition, including All-Big South First Team selections and Big South All-Academic honors, while also being named to the Big South Presidential Honor Roll.
Diego Juan Konincks Career
Early Career (2021)
Konincks began his senior career in 2021 with FC Florida U23 in USL League Two. The summer league provided him with his first exposure to senior football in the United States and allowed him to combine his remaining college schedule with competitive minutes at a higher level.
College Senior Year at Saint Louis University (2023)
In 2023, Konincks transferred to Saint Louis University to join the Saint Louis Billikens men’s soccer team. He quickly established himself in the squad, earning Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors in October 2023. By the end of the season, he had collected a series of major individual awards, including the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, a place on the All-Atlantic 10 First Team, and selection to the Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team.
Konincks also received All-Region Second Team honors and was named a Third Team Academic All-America selection. Those accolades reflected both his defensive performances and his academic work during his final college year.
Chicago Fire FC II Era (2024-2025)
In March 2024, Konincks signed a one-year contract with Chicago Fire FC II in MLS NEXT Pro. He made an immediate impact, scoring his first professional goal on April 10, 2024, in a 2-0 victory over Crown Legacy FC. During the 2024 season, his strong form at the reserve level led to several short-term loans with the Chicago Fire FC first team in Major League Soccer.
Konincks returned to Chicago Fire II for the 2025 season and was named team captain. His leadership and consistent performances earned him two additional short-term loans with the first team. In August 2025, he was loaned to Canadian Premier League side Valour FC for the remainder of the 2025 season, marking his first professional experience outside of the American soccer pyramid.
Pacific FC Era (2025-Present)
In December 2025, Konincks signed a two-year contract with Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move to Pacific FC brought him back to Canada’s top flight after his earlier loan to Valour FC.
The deal places him on the Pacific FC roster from 2026 through 2028, aligning with the club’s long-term planning. His addition was intended to strengthen the team’s defensive options with a player who already had experience in the Canadian Premier League.
Driving Style and Strengths
Konincks is widely regarded as a defensively focused player with strong leadership traits. His college recognition as Defensive Player of the Year in the Atlantic 10 highlights his reading of the game, tackling, and organization of the back line, while his captaincy at Chicago Fire FC II reflects the trust he earns from coaching staffs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable moments of his career so far are his first professional goal against Crown Legacy FC on April 10, 2024, his Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023, and his move to Pacific FC in December 2025. His series of short-term loans with the Chicago Fire first team also marked an important step toward top-flight football in North America.
Diego Juan Konincks Career Wins
Diego Juan Konincks’s verified achievements to this point are primarily individual awards earned during his college years and his progression into professional football. His résumé does not yet include major senior team trophies, but his individual recognition and steady climb through the professional ranks stand out.
Other Wins & Performances
Konincks collected multiple conference and academic honors during his time at Campbell University and Saint Louis University. He was named to the All-Big South First Team across multiple seasons and was a Third Team Academic All-America selection in 2023.
Diego Juan Konincks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Konincks grew up in Montfoort, Netherlands, and began his football journey at the local club Montfoort SV ’19 at the age of four. Further details about his parents and family background are not publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Diego Juan Konincks currently plays professionally with Pacific FC in the Canadian Premier League on a contract that runs through 2028. He previously spent time on loan at Valour FC and played college soccer in the United States before turning professional in 2021.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Konincks’s second year with Chicago Fire FC II in MLS NEXT Pro, where he served as team captain. His leadership at the reserve level led to two further short-term loans with the Chicago Fire first team, reflecting his standing within the broader organization.
In August 2025, he was loaned to Canadian Premier League club Valour FC for the remainder of the season, giving him his first sustained run of minutes in Canada’s top flight. His performances there helped lay the groundwork for his next career step.
His outlook heading into 2026 is firmly tied to his new two-year deal with Pacific FC, where he is expected to compete for a regular defensive role.