Landskrona

Lindgren was born in Landskrona and started his footballing career at Landskrona BoIS' youth academy, alongside future professional footballers such as Pontus Farnerud, Alexander Farnerud, Jonas Olsson, and Johan Andersson.^[1][2] He progressed through the club's youth system and contributed the achievements at Landskrona.^[3] Lindgren sat on the bench in an Allsvenskan game against Örebro SK in 2003 as an unused substitute, but never made his senior debut for the team.^[4]

Ajax

On 6 January 2003, Eredivisie side AFC Ajax was impressed with his performance and offered him a professional contract following a trial.^[5] It was announced on 17 January 2003 that he signed a one–year contract with the club.^[6]

After joining Ajax, Lindgren was assigned to the club's second team for the next two years.^[7] A year later on 24 March 2004, he signed a one–year contract extension with the club.^[8] Ahead of the 2004–05 season, Lindgren was promoted to the club's first team squad, having called up to Ajax's training squad.^[9] Following this, Lindgren returned to the Ajax's second team.^[10] However, lack of first team opportunities at the club led him to consider his future at Ajax.^[11] Shortly after, he was called up to the club's first team squad.^[12] Lindgren made his debut for Ajax, in the 1–2 away win in the Eredivisie against NAC Breda on 13 February 2005.^[13] After the match, Lindgren says he is happy to make his debut and expected to make his way into the first team.^[14] Three days later, on 16 February 2005, Lindgren made his European debut, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute, in a 1–0 win against Auxerre in the first leg of the UEFA Cup Round of 32.^[15] In the return leg, however, the club lost 3–1 on aggregate, eliminating the club from the tournament.^[16] Following this, he was offered a new contract by Ajax, which believed to be a three–year contract.^[17] However, Lindgren failed to secure a place in the starting line-up, as he played four matches at the end of the 2004–05 season.

FC Groningen

On 9 August 2005 it was announced that Lindgren would join FC Groningen for a 1-year loan period.^[18]

He made his debut for the club, coming on as a 33rd-minute substitute for the injured Erik Nevland and played for the rest of the game, in a 1–0 win against RBC Roosendaal in the opening game of the season.^[19] In a follow–up match, Lindgren scored his first goal for FC Groningen, in a 2–1 loss against RKC Waalwijk.^[20] His second goal for the club came on 29 January 2006, in a 3–2 win against NAC Breda.^[21] For his performance, he was named Man of the Man by the supporters on the club's website.^[22] On 1 March 2006 it was announced that Lindgren would sign a new deal, making him a FC Groningen player for four years, with the transfer fee reportedly to have cost €300,000.^[23] His third goal for the club came on 12 April 2006, in a 2–1 win against FC Utrecht.^[24] He then played in both legs of the league's play–offs spot for the UEFA Champions League for FC Groningen by beating AZ Alkmaar 4–3 on aggregate.^[25] However, Lindgren, once again, played in both legs of the league's play–offs spot for the UEFA Champions League against his former club, Ajax, as the club lost 3–2, resulting in FC Groningen failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.^[26] Having established himself in the starting eleven for the side, he went on to make forty appearances and scoring three times in all competitions.^[27]

At the start of the 2006–07 season, Lindgren continued to establish himself in the starting eleven, playing in the midfield position.^[28] He scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–1 win against TOP Oss in the second round of the KNVB Beker on 20 September 2006.^[29] In a match against Excelsior on 25 October 2006, Lindgren sent up the club's first goal of the game, but was sent–off for a professional foul on Sieme Zijm in the 81st minute, as FC Groningen won 2–1.^[30] After the match, he was given a one match suspension, but the suspension was overturned, due to lack of evidence.^[31] Following this, Lindgren contributed three more assists for FC Groningen throughout the 2006–07 season.^[32] Despite being sidelined on four occasions during the 2006–07 season, he went on to make thirty–four appearances and scoring once in all competitions.^[33]

At the start of the 2007–08 season, Lindgren continued to establish himself in the first team, playing in the midfield position.^[34] Between 22 December 2007 and 29 December 2007, he played an important role for FC Groningen when he set up three goals and earning a goal himself, coming against PSV Eindhoven on 26 December 2007.^[35] Despite missing two matches in the first half of the 2007–08 season, Lindgren went on to make twenty–four appearances and scoring once in all competitions.^[36] During his total 2+1⁄2-year stay at FC Groningen, he became one of the most important players in the squad, playing a total of 82 Eredivisie-matches and scoring 4 goals.

Return to Ajax

On 28 January 2008, Lindgren moved back to Ajax, signing a 3+1⁄2-year deal, joining his teammate, Bruno Silva.^[37] The transfer fee was about 2.5 million Euros, which FC Groningen couldn't turn down the offer.^[38] However, his first club, Landskrona, would not be entitled to compensation as part of his transfer move.^[39]

He made his debut for the club, starting the whole game, against rivals, Feyenoord on 3 February 2008 and set up a goal for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who scored twice, in a 3–0 win.^[40] Two weeks later on 15 February 2008, Lindgren scored his first goal for Ajax, as well as, setting up the club's two other goals, in a 6–2 win against Sparta Rotterdam.^[41] However, he suffered a hamstring injury that saw him sustained the same injury earlier this month and missed one match.^[42] Following his return, Lindgren started in the remaining six league matches for the club.^[43] He then scored his second goal for Ajax, in a 2–1 win against his former club, FC Groningen on 16 April 2008.^[44] Lindgren played in both legs against SC Heerenveen in the play–offs for the UEFA Champions League spot, as the club won 5–2 on aggregate.^[45] He, once again, played in both legs against FC Twente in the play–offs for the UEFA Champions League spot, as Ajax lost 2–1 on aggregate, resulting in the club failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.^[46] At the end of the 2007–08 season, Lindgren went on to make eleven appearances and scoring two times in all competitions. For his performance, Voetbal International named him Team of the Season.^[47]

At the start of the 2008–09 season, Lindgren continued to remain as a regular first team player, playing in the midfield position.^[48] He scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–0 win against FC Twente on 1 November 2008.^[49] A month later, Lindgren captained Ajax in a match against NAC Breda on 12 December 2008 and scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–0 win.^[50] However, he suffered a hamstring injury while training and was sidelined for a month.^[51] Although Lindgren recovered, he didn't return to the first team until on 8 February 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute, in a 4–1 loss against SBV Vitesse.^[52] Following this, Lindgren made six starts between 15 February 2009 and 8 March 2009.^[53] However during a 2–1 loss against Marseille in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Last Sixteen, he suffered a concussion and was substituted in the 22nd minute.^[54] After the match, Lindgren was taken to the hospital and was sidelined for weeks.^[55] Because of his absent, he was no longer used as a vice–captain and was replaced by Thomas Vermaelen.^[56] Lindgren didn't return to the first team until on 12 April 2009 when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute, in a 7–0 win against Willem II.^[57] At the end of the 2008–09 season, Lindgren went on to make thirty–two appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Lindgren had to have an operation on his left foot shortly before the end of last season.^[58] Although he recovered from his injury, Lindgren, however, was not one hundred percent fit.^[59] He was included in Ajax's friendly match against Ajax Cape Town on 4 July 2009 and played in the first half before being substituted, as the club won 3–2.^[60] However since returning from injury, Lindgren found his first team opportunities limited, under the management of head-coach Martin Jol.^[61] This led to him discuss his future at Ajax, but he wanted to stay at the club to fight for his place in the first team.^[62] Lindgren didn't make his first team appearance until on 22 September 2009 when he started and played 120 minutes against AZ Alkmaar in the second round of the KNVB Beker, as Ajax lost 2–0.^[63] Lindgren spent the rest of the year, playing for the club's reserve team.^[64] With his first team opportunities limited, Lindgren was expected to leave Ajax in the January transfer window.^[65] But in mid–January, he was called up to the club's first team for the first time in three months.^[66] Lindgren scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against NAC Breda on 17 January 2010.^[67] Following this, he was told by Manager Jol to stay at Ajax.^[68] Lindgren appeared in the next five matches for the club.^[69] However during a match against SC Heerenveen on 13 February 2010, he suffered a knee injury and was substituted at half time, as Ajax won 2–0.^[70] Following this, Lindgren did not play for the rest of the 2009–10 season, due to injuries.^[71] While absent, the club won the KNVB Cup after beating rivals, Feyenoord, 6–3 on aggregate.^[72] At the end of the 2009–10 season, he went on to make eight appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2010–11 season, Lindgren said he wanted to stay at Ajax despite having new competitions in the midfield position.^[73] In the beginning of the 2010–11 season, Lindgren scored an important goal against PAOK F.C. in the UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round helping the club to move to the Play-off round, ultimately leading to qualification to the Group stage.^[74] However, he suffered a muscle injury and then a knee injury that saw him out for a month.^[75] By early–September, Lindgren recovered from a knee injury and didn't make his return to the first team against rivals, Feyenoord on 19 September 2010, starting the whole game, in a 2–1 win.^[76] Nine days later on 28 September 2010, he made his UEFA Champions League debut, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute, in a 1–1 draw against A.C. Milan.^[77] Prior to the match, Lindgren suffered a minor knee complaints but was included in the squad, though he was on the substitute bench as a result.^[78] Since recovering from a knee injury, Lindgren made eight starts for Ajax in the next two months.^[79] During which, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 4–1 win against Heracles Almelo on 30 October 2010.^[80] This lasted until Lindgren was sent–off at the last minute of the game for a foul on Ibrahim Afellay, as Ajax drew 0–0 against rivals, PSV Eindhoven on 20 November 2010.^[81] After the match, he served a two match suspension.^[82] Lindgren didn't return to the first team until on 8 December 2010 against Milan in the UEFA Champions League match, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute, in a 2–0 win.^[83] However, following his return from suspension, the situation did not change in the next season under new head-coach Frank de Boer and found his playing time, mostly from the substitute bench, as well as, his own injury concerns.^[84] Despite this, Lindgren's contributions to the club saw Ajax win the league.^[85] At the end of the 2010–11 season, he went on to make twenty–six appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

Following this, Lindgren announced in Swedish media that he's leaving Ajax, citing new challenges.^[86][87] Upon announcing his intention of leaving the club, Lindgren was linked a move to European clubs, including clubs from his homeland country.^[88]

Red Bull Salzburg

On 20 June 2011, it was announced that Lindgren would join Red Bull Salzburg on a two-year deal starting from the 2011–12 season.^[89] It came after when the Austrian club saw the necessity in him to rebuild the squad.^[90]

He made his debut for the club, starting the whole game, in a 4–1 win against Liepājas Metalurgs in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round.^[91] Three days later on 17 July 2011, Lindgren made his league debut in the opening game of the season against Austria Wien, starting the whole game in defensive midfield position, winning 2–0.^[92] However, he missed the return of the UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round against Liepājas Metalurgs, due to a groin injury, as Red Bull Salzburg drew 0–0 to progress to the next round.^[93] Lindgren returned to the starting line–up against FC Wacker Innsbruck on 24 July 2011, only to be sent–off for the second bookable offence in the last game, as the club won 1–0.^[94] He played in both legs of the UEFA Europa League Play–Off Round against AC Omonia, as Red Bull Salzburg went through to the group stage following a 2–2 draw on aggregate, thanks to away goal.^[95] Since joining the club, Lindgren was involved in the first team, rotating in either playing in the defensive midfield position and centre–back position.^[96] Lindgren scored his first goal in a 4–0 win over SAK Klagenfurt in the second round of Austrian Cup on 21 September 2011.^[97] He later scored his second goal for the club, in a 2–2 draw against Admira Wacker Mödling on 24 March 2012.^[98] Lindgren then set up one of the goals for Red Bull Salzburg, as the club won 5–1 win against Admira Wacker Mödling on 13 May 2012, securing in winning the league.^[99] As the 2011–12 season progressed, he found himself out of the starting line–up, resulting in him being dropped to the substitute bench or injury concern and was even on the substitute bench, which saw Red Bull Salzburg winning the Austrian Cup.^[100] In his first season at the club, Lindgren went on to make thirty–four appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

At the start of the 2012–13 season, Lindgren made two appearances in all competitions for Red Bull Salzburg.^[101] However, he was in the club's squad, leading up to his departure from Red Bull Salzburg on 26 September 2012.^[102][103] It came after when Lindgren took legal action against the club.^[104] It was revealed that personal matters was another reason for his release.^[105] Lindgren later reflected about his departure from Red Bull Salzburg, saying: "A bunch of Germans came in, Ralf Rangnick took over as director of the club and a German coach came, it was a Dutch coach who took me there. If you have some connections to Holland and have played there, it is clear that it benefits you as a player. A bunch of Germans came in and replaced everything and sent down six men in the B-team, they told me that I had one year left on the contract and that they wanted to invest entirely in young players. Okay, I thought. It turned out that you were not allowed to do that as a club. I heard from the players' association, you were not allowed to do that. Then they contacted the club and said that they could either buy me out or put me in the A-team again. Then they chose to buy me out in the autumn."^[106]

Return to Groningen

In late November, it was announced that Lindgren would make a return to the Netherlands, re-joining FC Groningen on a three-year deal, though he was unable to make his debut until January.^[107]

After the move, Lindgren said he was pleased to make his return to Groningen, though he is keen to make a return to Scandinavia.^[108] Having been unveiled, Lindgren started training with the club and new teammates.^[109]

On 20 January 2013, he made his second debut in FC Groningen's starting line-up, playing 83 minutes before being substituted, in a 2–0 loss to Utrecht.^[110] After the match, Lindgren said he was disappointed with his comeback match.^[111] Since re–joining the club, Lindgren established himself in the first team, playing in the defensive midfield position.^[112] FC Groningen finished in seventh place, albeit 19 points behind Twente whom they faced in the play-offs.^[113] He played in both legs of the play–offs against the opposition team, as the club lost 4–2 on aggregate, resulting in FC Groningen would not qualify for the Europa League next season.^[114] Despite missing two matches through suspension later in the 2012–13 season, Lindgren went on to make sixteen appearances in all competitions.^[115]

Ahead of the 2013–14 season, FC Groningen announced that Lindgren would be the club's new captain following the departure of Kees Kwakman.^[116] He started and captained FC Groningen's first six league matches of the season, helping the club earn eight points.^[117] This lasted until Lindgren suffered a hip injury that saw him miss one match.^[118] He didn't return to the first team against FC Twente on 29 September 2013, coming on as a 66th-minute substitute, in a 5–0 loss.^[119] Since returning to the first team, however, Lindgren found his playing time in the first team from the substitute bench.^[120] He didn't return as captain until on 12 February 2014 against FC Twente, starting the whole game, as FC Groningen drew 1–1.^[121] By March, Lindgren regained his first team place, playing in the defensive midfield position once again.^[122] Lindgren played four times in the league's play–offs, as he helped the club qualify for the UEFA Europa League next season.^[123] Despite suffering another injury later in the 2013–14 season, Lindgren went on to make twenty–five appearances in all competitions.^[124]

At the start of the 2014–15 season, Lindgren played in both legs of the second round of the UEFA Europa League against Aberdeen, as the club lost 2–1 on aggragate.^[125] He appeared in the first five league matches of the season before being sent–off for a second bookable offence, in a 3–0 loss against SC Cambuur on 14 September 2014.^[126] After serving a one match suspension, Lindgren returned to the starting line–up against BVV Barendrecht in the second round of the KNVB Cup, as he helped FC Groningen win 4–1.^[127] However, since returning from injury, Lindgren found his playing time, mostly coming from the substitute bench for the next four months.^[128] He didn't return to the starting line–up until on 14 February 2015 against Excelsior, captaining the whole game, in a 1–1 draw.^[129] Following this, Lindgren began playing in the centre–back position and played for the rest of the 2014–15 season.^[130] He then scored his first goal for the club, in a 1–1 draw against SBV Vitesse on 4 April 2015.^[131] Four days later on 8 April 2015, Lindgren helped FC Groningen reach the final of the KNVB Cup after the club beat Excelsior 3–0 in the semi-finals.^[132] Lindgren helped the Green-White Army win the 2014–15's KNVB Cup against defending champions PEC Zwolle 2–0, winning their first major trophy and qualifying for the UEFA Europa League next season.^[133] At the end of the 2014–15 season, he went on to make thirty appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Lindgren resumed his duty as FC Groningen's captain following the departure of Maikel Kieftenbeld.^[134] He captained the club's first two matches of the season, including a 2–0 loss against PSV Eindhoven in the Johan Cruyff Shield.^[135] However, Lindgren suffered ankle injury while training and missed three matches as a result.^[136] He didn't make his return until on 2 September 2015 against VV Pelikaan-S in a friendly match, starting the whole game, in a 5–0 win.^[137] Since returning from injury, Lindgren was featured in the club's four matches, as well as, retaining his captaincy.^[138] However, he suffered ankle injury once again and was sidelined for the rest of the year.^[139] Lindgren didn't make his return from injury until on 8 January 2016 against Oostende in a friendly match, as FC Groningen won 1–0.^[140] Following his return, he resumed his first team place, playing in the centre–back position, as well as, his captaincy for the rest of the 2015–16 season.^[141] Lindgren then scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–0 win against ADO Den Haag on 3 April 2016, to end the club's six matches without a win.^[142] This was followed up by scoring his second goal of the season, in a 3–1 win against De Graafschap.^[143] A month later on 8 May 2016, he scored twice against Heracles Almelo in the last game of the season, as FC Groningen won 2–1.^[144] Four days later on 12 May 2016 against Heracles Almelo in the first leg of the league's semi-final play–off spot for the UEFA Europa League, Lindgren scored once again, as the club won 2–1, in what turned out to be his last appearance for FC Groningen.^[145] However, he missed the return leg due to a knee injury and because of his absent, the club lost 5–1 in the return leg, resulting FC Groningen missing out a place in the UEFA Europa League next season.^[146] At the end of the 2015–16 season, Lindgren went on to make twenty–four appearances and scoring five times in all competitions.

Following this, it was announced on 21 March 2016 that Lindgren would be leaving FC Groningen at the end of the 2015–16 season, with a return move to Sweden as his preferred destination.^[147]

BK Häcken

Youth career

In March 2002, Lindgren was called up to the Sweden U18 for the first time.^[195] He made his debut for the U18 national team, coming on as a 71st-minute substitute, in a 1–0 loss against Slovakia U18 on 22 April 2002.^[196] Lindgren later appeared twice for the Sweden U18 in the Slovakia Cup, as the U18 national team won the tournament.^[197] In August 2002, he was called up to the Sweden U19 for the first time.^[198] Lindgren added three more appearances for the U19 national team to combine nine appearances for both Sweden U18 and U19.^[199]

In April 2004, Lindgren was called up to the Sweden U21 squad for the first time.^[200] He made his debut for the U21 national team, starting the whole game, as they lost 2–0 against Croatia U21 on 27 April 2004.^[201] In June 2004, Lindgren was included in the Sweden U21 squad for the Toulon Tournament.^[202] He played three times in the Toulon Tournament, as the U21 national team lost in the final.^[203] It wasn't until on 15 March 2005 when Lindgren was called up to the Sweden U21 but did not play.^[204] A year later, he didn't make another appearance for the U21 national team until on 16 August 2006 against Macedonia U21, starting the whole game, in a 3–1 win.^[205] Lindgren played three more times for Sweden U21 by the end of the year.^[206] Lindgren went on to make nine appearances for the U21 national team.

Senior career

On 29 January 2008, Lindgren was called up to the Sweden for the first team ahead of the match against Turkey.^[207] However, he was dropped from the squad after suffering a thigh injury while training.^[208] Three months, Lindgren was put on the standby list for the Sweden squad ahead of the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament.^[209]

Following this, he didn't receive another call up from the national team until on 12 August 2008, but did not play.^[210] After being called up once more, Lindgren made his debut for Sweden on 19 November 2008, in a 3–1 defeat to the Netherlands.^[211] He made his second international appearance in a 2-0 defeat to Serbia.^[212] Despite making only making two international appearances for the national team, Lindgren reflected, saying: "I have never been so interested in being part of the national team. It has never been important to me. The clubs I have played in have been so important to me. I have thought that it would have been fun if the national team had come, but it has never been a thing that I have been upset about. I have not felt that it has been so important to me. But without feeling that it had not been fun, I had thought it was great fun. But I got to play two international matches."^[213]

Club

As of 30 August 2017^[217][218]

International