As a footballer, he played as a forward for Beveren, Anderlecht, Ajax, Istanbulspor, Rangers, Feyenoord, De Graafschap and Vitesse.

He joined Rangers in January 1996 in an exchange deal for Russian striker Oleg Salenko from Turkish side Istanbulspor, but made just seven Scottish Premier Division appearances that season, failing to score.

He managed five goals in 14 appearances the following season as Rangers matched Celtic's record of nine successive league title, but featured just once in the 1997–98 campaign before returning to the Netherlands and signing for Feyenoord.

[1] Van Vossen picked up 31 international caps for the Netherlands national team, scoring nine goals.

Van Vossen was initially selected to participate at Euro 1992, but missed it due to thrombosis.