On 20 January 2013, he made his second debut in FC Groningen’s starting line-up, playing 83 minutes before being substituted, in a 2–0 loss to Utrecht. After the match, Lindgren said he was disappointed with his comeback match. Since re–joining the club, Lindgren established himself in the first team, playing in the defensive midfield position. FC Groningen finished in seventh place, albeit 19 points behind Twente whom they faced in the play-offs. He played in both legs of the play–offs against the opposition team, as the club lost 4–2 on aggregate, resulting in FC Groningen would not qualify for the Europa League next season. Despite missing two matches through suspension later in the 2012–13 season, Lindgren went on to make sixteen appearances in all competitions.