[2] While playing at ARC, Van der Laan was scouted by Sparta Rotterdam, and at the age of 22, he made the switch to professional football.

[2][3] As a result, FC Twente played in the UEFA Cup in the next season, where they were knocked out in the second round by Grasshoppers, losing 5–6 on aggregate despite two goals from Van der Laan.

[3] On 25 January 2004, it was announced that Van der Laan would be loaned to Eerste Divisie club FC Dordrecht for the remainder of the season, with the intention of joining them on a free transfer after the summer break.

[2][3] Van der Laan started his managerial career in his last years of playing for FC Dordrecht, coaching various youth teams of ARC.

[6] After only two months in charge of FC Lisse,[1] on 24 September 2015, it was announced that Van der Laan would succeed Roger Reijners as head coach of the Netherlands women's national football team.

Ahead of the 2020–21 season, he has signed a one-year contract as head coach for Sunday Tweede Klasse club RKSV Altior from Langeraar.