In 2003, he moved from Landskrona BoIS in Sweden to AFC Ajax in The Netherlands. Initially, he played for their famous youth system, but he managed to become a member of the first squad in 2005 and would become the captain at the club. He made his debut in the 1–2 away win in the Eredivisie against NAC Breda on 13 February 2005. After the match, Lindgren says he is happy to make his debut and expected to make his way into the first team. He played 4 matches in the 2004–05 Eredivisie, but he didn't manage to secure a place in the starting line-up. Ajax and Lindgren agreed that he would go on loan the next season.
Groningen
On 9 August 2005 it was announced that Lindgren would join FC Groningen for a 1-year loan period. Having made his debut on the opening game, Lindgren would score his first goal, the next game, in a 2–1 loss against RKC Waalwijkseven days later. In the 2005–06 season, he played most matches and FC Groningen was satisfied with his performance. On 1 March 2006 it was announced that Lindgren would sign a new deal, making him a FC Groningen player for four years. His transfer fee was €300,000. During his total -year stay at FC Groningen, Lindgren became one of the most important players in the squad, playing a total of 82 Eredivisie-matches. His performances led to a renewal of AFC Ajax' interest in him.
Return to Ajax
On 28 January 2008 he moved back to Ajax, signing a -year deal. The transfer fee was about 2.5 million Euros. In the second half of the 2007–08 season and in the start of the 2008–09 season, he is a regular first team player. However, several injuries limit the number of matches he could play, also resulting in becoming a regular substitute in the 2009–10 season under head-coach Martin Jol. This situation does not change in the next season under new head-coach Frank de Boer and Lindgren announces in Swedish media that something new might be good. In the beginning of the 2010–11 season Lindgren scored an important goal against PAOK F.C. in the UEFA Champions LeagueThird qualifying round helping AFC Ajax to move to the Play-off round, ultimately leading to qualification to the Group stage. During his second period at AFC Ajax Lindgren played 54 Eredivisie-matches, resulting in the 2010–11 Eredivisie title and the 2009–10 KNVB Cup victory.
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. On the opening game of the season, Lindgren made his debut, playing in defensive midfield position, in a 2–0 win over Austria Wien. Soon in the second round of Austrian Cup, Lindgren scored his first goal in a 4–0 win over SAK Klagenfurt. In March, Lindgren scored his first league goal in a 2–2 draw against Admira Wacker Mödling. In the conclusion of the season, the club would win not only Austrian Cup, but also Austrian Champion. At the end of the season, he was given a free transfer as the club saw the necessity to rebuild the squad.
Return to Groningen
In late November, it was announced that Lindgren would make a return to the Netherlands, rejoining FC Groningen on a three-year deal though unable to make his debut until January. After the move, Lindgren said he was pleased to make his return to Groningen, though he is keen to make a return to Scandinavia. Having been unveiled, Lindgren started training with the club. On 20 January 2013, he made his debut in the Groningen starting lineup in a 2–0 loss to Utrecht. After the match, Lindgren said he was disappointed with his comeback match. He helped the Green-White Army win the KNVB Cup in 2014/15 against defending champions PEC Zwolle. It was their first major trophy and they qualified for the UEFA Europa League.
BK Häcken
In May 2016 Lindgren signed with the Allsvenskan side BK Häcken. He made his debut on 17 July 2016 in a league game against Örebro SK. On 30 May 2019 Lindgren won his first silverware with Häcken when he played the full 90 minutes as Häcken won the 2018–19 Svenska Cupen, beating AFC Eskilstuna 3-1 in the final.
International career.
After making 9 appearances for the U21 team, he made his debut for Sweden on 19 November 2008, in a 3–1 defeat to the Netherlands. He made his second international appearance in a 2-0 defeat to Serbia.
