Injury problems cut his playing career short however, Holden was able to establish himself as a leading American soccer analyst. Planet Sport takes an in-depth look at his career.
Born in the Scottish city of Aberdeen, Holden moved to the US at the age of 10 and settled in Texas with his family.
After playing two seasons of college soccer at Clemson University, he was signed by English Premier League club Sunderland in early 2005. However, he failed to make a single appearance for the Wearsiders.
He returned stateside to join MLS side Houston Dynamo in 2006, playing 88 MLS games and 122 in all competitions for the Texas franchise. He scored 22 goals before Bolton Wanderers came calling in January 2010.
He was on the books at Bolton until the summer of 2014 but injury problems meant he only played 38 times for the club.
He spent a month on loan with Sheffield Wednesday in 2013 before returning to Bolton to see out that season, which proved to be his last as a player.
He was unable to make a single appearance in 2013/14 and retired from playing in 2016 having suffered successive cruciate ligament injuries.
He played 25 times for the United States national side, scoring three goals. A seamless move into the media has seen Holden become one of the most recognised voices in US soccer.