Antoine van der Linden

Antoine van der Linden (Dutch pronunciation: [ɑn.tu.ˈwɑn vɑn dɛr ˈlɪn.də(n)]; born 17 March 1976) is a Dutch former footballer who played as a central defender.

In this Dutch name, the family name is Van der Linden, not Linden.
Antoine van der Linden
Van der Linden training with Groningen in 2006
Personal information
Full name Antoine van der Linden
Date of birth (1976-03-17) 17 March 1976
Place of birth Rotterdam, Netherlands
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 3 1⁄2 in)
Playing position(s) Centre back
Youth career
Zwervers
Alexandria '66
SVS
Nieuwerkerk
Sparta Rotterdam
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2000 Sparta Rotterdam 37 (1)
2000–2001 Swindon Town 33 (1)
2001–2003 Emmen 56 (0)
2003–2007 Groningen 106 (4)
2007–2009 Marítimo 39 (0)
2009 Marítimo B 2 (0)
2009–2012 Heracles 97 (3)
2012–2013 Emmen 28 (2)
2013–2016 WKE 40 (4)
Total 438 (15)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He amassed Eredivisie totals of 240 games and eight goals over the course of ten seasons, representing in the competition Sparta Rotterdam, Groningen and Heracles.

Football career

Born in Rotterdam, van der Linden started his career in 1997 with local Sparta Rotterdam, appearing in an average of 12 Eredivisie games during three seasons. In the 2000 summer he joined Swindon Town in England,[1] featuring regularly for the Football League One club.

After only one year, van der Linden returned to his country, signing with FC Emmen of the second division. In 2003, he returned to the top level, playing four solid years with FC Groningen and helping the side to the fifth position in the 2005–06 campaign, with the subsequent qualification to the UEFA Cup.

In 2007, van der Linden moved to Portugal with C.S. Marítimo: never an undisputed starter with the Madeirans, he did manage to appear regularly, but also experienced a brief spell with the reserves in his second and last year.

In July 2009, 33-year-old van der Linden signed a one-year deal with Heracles Almelo as a replacement for Jan Wuytens who moved to FC Utrecht. He helped the team to the sixth place in the top flight, contributing with one goal in a 4–1 home win over bottom-placed RKC Waalwijk.

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References
  1. Swindon defender eyes derby clash, BBC Sport, 15 August 2000
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