 Paatelainen joined Aberdeen in January 2005, but was released at the end of the season without breaking into the first team.He joined Cowdenbeath, managed by his elder brother, Mixu, in September 2005 and quickly settled in as a first team regular.In February 2006 he suffered a serious injury away to Elgin City which almost resulted in him losing his right leg after a delay in getting him to hospital.