He represented Ajax, Celta Vigo, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Grasshoppers, Heerenveen, RKC Waalwijk and Cambuur.

[6][7][8][9] De Ridder is one of only six Jewish players to have played for Ajax – the others being Eddy Hamel, Johnny Roeg, Bennie Muller, Sjaak Swart and Ilan Boccara.

[10][11] De Ridder worked his way up to first-team selection from Ajax's youth department, making his full debut in an away game against Roda JC on 21 January 2004, and scored his first goal against Willem II on 16 May.

De Ridder made his UEFA Champions League debut in September 2004, coming on as a 69th-minute substitute in a 4–0 defeat at Bayern Munich.

De Ridder was told prior to the 2005–2006 season that there would be no room for him in the squad and he could expect little playing time if he decided to stay.

[14] On 25 September 2005, De Ridder made his official debut for Celta when they beat Sevilla, allowing the Galician club to temporarily top La Liga.

[19] De Ridder's last game for the club was in January 2008 in the FA Cup, manager Alex McLeish considering him better suited to a style of play which placed more emphasis on passing than did Birmingham's.

[23][5] De Ridder got his first assist against Newcastle United coming off the bench and swinging in an 89th-minute corner for a dramatic Titus Bramble equalizer.

[25][26] The club then approached the Interior Ministry to check what allowances could be made to register De Ridder as an Israeli since he is Jewish.