He’s Dutch, will play in the heart of Sydney’s defence, and takes a mean set piece. But Sky Blues new signing, Jop Van Der Linden, is keen to stress he’s not just going to be another Jordy Buijs.

The 28 year-old is experiencing life outside his home country for the first time, after a career that has taken in stops at Vitesse Arnhem, Apeldoorn, Helmond Sport, Go Ahead Eagles, AZ Alkmaar and Willem II - and says this is a new beginning, in every sense.

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Siem de Jong celebrates with van der Linden during the FFA Cup Semi Final Source: AAP

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“It is a big move to the other side of the world. I wasn’t expecting it, but I felt ready for an adventure outside Holland. When I heard Sydney wanted me, I was really excited from the start. I had never been to Australia before. My girlfriend is pregnant, and the baby is coming in a few weeks so that is already special. It gives my family the opportunity to come to Australia - they will come in the next few months to help us, and also to explore.” says Van Der Linden.

It’s not surprising to hear Van Der Linden talk about the importance of family. He is instinctively a quieter personality than Jordy Buijs, but he continues a long-standing tradition of Dutch central defenders at Sydney FC - and, in the A-League in general. Over the years, the likes of Patrick Zwaanswijk, Rob Wielaert, Kew Jaliens, Pascal Bosschaart, Bart Schenkeveld and Bas Van Den Brink have all graced the competition.

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Van Der Linden can work wonders with a dead ball. Source: Getty Images

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“Australia had a lot of Dutch coaches for the national team of course. I think Australian people like the way we play in Holland, although maybe not at the moment because the national team is not so good. But we play out from the back into midfield, we play on the ground - maybe that is one reason why there has been so many. It’s good for me too that Han Berger was here at Sydney FC already. I spoke with him a few times before I came here.” says Van Der Linden.

There will be two Dutchmen in the Sydney FC line-up this season, with compatriot Siem de Jong also making the move. The pair have a long-term friendship that will now continue thousands of kilometres from home.

“I know Siem from a long time ago - we played together in the youth national teams when we were 12 years old! It’s nice Siem is here - we can talk in our own language, and help each other in our new city. It’s nice for our girlfriends too, to have some support.” says Van Der Linden.

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He's already putting rival players on their backsides. Source: Getty Images

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A new city - and some new sporting pastimes for Van Der Linden to get a handle on. He’s been introduced to the other codes of football during his short spell down under, but he prefers some more than others.

“I had never heard of AFL before. To me it looks crazy - the pitch looks so big. I don’t even know the rules, although the guys explained it to me a bit. It is totally different. Rugby is not that popular in Holland, and I only know a few of the rules, but I managed to get tickets to the Australia-New Zealand game at ANZ Stadium, and it was really nice to see that game. I also watch the Australian games on television now - it is fun to watch. More so than AFL I think. But I think that is also because football is still in pre-season, so hopefully when it starts we will see that football is really popular here too.” says Van Der Linden.

As for the Jordy Buijs comparisons - the modest Van Der Linden says if he ends up being as successful, and as popular, as his compatriot, then he’ll be a happy man.

“I heard he did well here with his time here - hopefully I can do just as well. I am a different type of player though, different qualities to him - so we shall see. I do take corners and free-kicks of course. I saw one video of him scoring a free-kick, so if I can give the team some points with my corners and free kicks then that would be nice.” he says.

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