Bryan Catharina Anna Petronella Linssen (born 8 October 1990) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Eredivisie club NEC. He formerly played for Fortuna Sittard, MVV, VVV-Venlo, Heracles Almelo, FC Groningen, Vitesse and Feyenoord.

Career

Linssen made his professional debut in 2008 for Fortuna Sittard, the club where he spent much of his youth. He went on to play for MVV, VVV-Venlo, Heracles Almelo and FC Groningen, before signing for Vitesse in 2017.

Linssen scored 28 goals in 63 appearances in his first two Eredivisie seasons at the Arnhem club, an average of almost a goal every other match. He continued his fine form in front of goal last season, netting 14 times in 26 appearances before coronavirus hit and the Eredivisie was abandoned. That put him just one goal behind Steven Berghuis in the league scoring charts. In total, Linssen scored 47 goals and added a further 20 assists in 113 matches for Vitesse.

On 6 July 2020, Linssen signed a three-year deal with Feyenoord, joining on a free transfer from Vitesse. Linssen was Feyenoord's third signing of the summer after Mark Diemers and Christian Conteh.

After two seasons with Feyenoord, he signed with J1 League club Urawa Red Diamonds in a full transfer on 27 June 2022; the first overseas experience in his footballing career. He made his unofficial debut for the Urawa Reds in a friendly match against Paris Saint-Germain on 23 July, replacing Yusuke Matsuo at half-time. His debut was short-lived, however, as he suffered a muscle injury just minutes into his debut, sidelining him for several months. He made his return to the pitch in his official debut for the club on 1 October, coming off the bench in the 63rd minute for Yoshio Koizumi in a J1 League match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. He provided his first assist minutes later, extending a cross to Kai Shibato for a goal, as Urawa Reds lost 4–1. On 23 April 2023, he scored his first goal in the J1 League in a 1–1 draw against Kawasaki Frontale.

On 5 January 2025, Linssen returned to the Netherlands and signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with NEC.

Personal life

He is the younger brother of former professional footballer Edwin Linssen.

Career statistics

As of match played 17 May 2026

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fortuna Sittard2008–09Eerste Divisie14400———144
MVV2009–10Eerste Divisie30710———317
VVV-Venlo2010–11Eredivisie10010——00110
2011–12Eredivisie26410——30304
2012–13Eredivisie34812——203710
Total701232——507814
Heracles Almelo2013–14Eredivisie311132———3413
2014–15Eredivisie331032———3612
Total642164———7025
Groningen2015–16Eredivisie28322—6030395
2016–17Eredivisie281010——213111
Total561332—60517016
Vitesse2017–18Eredivisie331510—52524419
2018–19Eredivisie301230—42404114
2019–20Eredivisie251430———2814
Total884170—949211347
Feyenoord2020–21Eredivisie30922—60003811
2021–22Eredivisie341310—184005317
Total642232—244009128
Urawa Red Diamonds2022J1 League30000000—30
2023J1 League19230736210367
2024J1 League1720000——172
Total39430736210569
NEC2024–25Eredivisie154——10164
2025–26Eredivisie321141———3612
Total471541—00105216
Career total4721383011734510213565164

Honours

Feyenoord

Urawa Red Diamonds

Individual

  • Eredivisie Team of the Month:May 2025,
  • Eredivisie Goal of the Year: 2024–25

External links

  • at WorldFootball.net