Career
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. 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, featuring regularly for the Football League One club
After only one year van der Linden returned to his country, signing with Football Club Emmen of the second division.
In 2007, van der Linden moved to Portugal with Christian Science 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 January Wuytens who moved to Football Club Utrecht.