A product of the School of Excellence, Parker made his debut in the professional ranks for Cape Town's
Hellenic FC, later bought and renamed
Benoni Premier United. After the club was once again renamed and moved to Durban he remained with
Thanda Royal Zulu F.C. until early 2009 when he obtained a transfer to European Cup Winners
Red Star in Serbia. His stay in Belgrade was cut short after reports that the club had cash flow problems and owed its players' salaries. Parker signed with
FC Twente in July 2009 and was a member of the team that won the Dutch
2009–10 Eredivisie. After Twente manager
Steve McClaren's move to
Bundesliga, Parker failed to convince new coach
Michel Preud'homme of his qualities and thus spent the first half of the 2010–11 Dutch season mostly on the bench. He joined
Leicester City on trial in December 2010 with a view to a permanent move away from the Dutch club. On 18 January 2011, he moved to
Panserraikos F.C. on loan, to secure extra game time and returned to FC Twente after the end of the
2010–11 season. After receiving interest from Swedish clubs Malmö FF and Helsingborgs IF as well as South Africa's
Kaizer Chiefs, Parker chose the latter ahead of the other clubs. In the 2012–13 season, Parker scored 12 league goals in 28 matches and finished as runner up to
Katlego Mashego who had 13 and helped Chiefs to a league and cup double. The following season, he won the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot with 10 goals. After Parker spent over a decade at Kaizer Chiefs, the club decided not to renew his contract that was to expire on 30 June 2022. He scored over 60 goals in 350 appearances there. In August 2022 Parker joined
TS Galaxy on a two-year contract. On 18 October 2023, Parker suffered a broken leg from a "nightmare challenge" by
Mamelodi Sundowns player
Bongani Zungu during a Round Of 16 match in the
2023 Carling Knockout Cup between TS Galaxy and Mamelodi Sundowns at
Mbombela Stadium. In July 2024 Parker announced his retirement from playing. ==International career==