René Paardekooper (born 17 April 1987) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
Paardekooper was born in Gemert, North Brabant where he started playing football for local club VV Gemert before joining the youth teams of Helmond Sport.
[2][3] He made his professional in the Eerste Divisie on 16 September 2005, coming on as a substitute in injury time for Appie Yahia in a 0–0 draw against Cambuur.
[4] He made 88 total appearances for Helmond Sport between 2010 and 2015, scoring no goals.
[7][8] In 2010, Paardekooper returned to his boyhood club VV Gemert, recently promoted to the fourth-tier Topklasse.