In 1994, De Vries was recruited by FC Volendam where he gained four seasons experience at the top level in the Dutch Eredivisie.
His services were now in demand and Hearts manager Craig Levein was successful in securing his transfer to the Scottish club in July 2002.
He is well remembered by Hearts fans for scoring 4 goals on his first start against fierce city rivals Hibernian in a 5–1 victory in August 2002.
On 6 November 2003, de Vries scored the winning goal which gave Hearts a shock victory over Bordeaux, producing one of the club's best ever away results in European competition.
[2] Hearts rejected an offer from QPR for de Vries on 21 December 2004, while Sheffield United and Plymouth Argyle all expressed an interest to sign the striker after his fine performances in the UEFA Cup.
He was employed as a lone striker in the FA Cup fifth round clash against Charlton Athletic on 19 February 2005, and was instrumental in City's progress to the quarter-finals as they won 2–1.
[5] In a League Cup match against Blackpool on 20 September 2005, de Vries was made captain as he scored two goals for Leicester.
De Vries rejected a permanent move to Heerenveen in the summer, instead joining fellow Eredivisie side ADO Den Haag on loan for the 2006–07 season.
[19] De Vries's contract expired at the end of June 2008 and he undertook a trial with Dutch side SC Cambuur in late July.
Mark de Vries is, as a "pinch-hitter", very important for SC Cambuur, in last seasons playoffs he scored two important, winning, goals against FC Zwolle and the 1–1 in the away game against Roda JC, gaining a third and decisive game in the playoffs against that team (Roda JC) which SC Cambuur lost.