Career
He has represented Finland at Under-21 level Paatelainen joined Aberdeen in January 2005, but was released at the end of the season without breaking into the first team 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.
He joined Inverness Caledonian Thistle in January 2007, and saw his first action as a substitute in Inverness" 3–0 victory over Hibernian on 21 January 2007.
He scored his first goal for Inverness in a 3–2 defeat to Kilmarnock. He scored his second goal the following week in a 3–1 defeat to Dunfermline Athletic.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle terminated his contract on 8 October 2008. On 12 November 2008 Paatelainen signed a two-year-contract with Football Club Honka of the Finnish Premier Division.
Another elder brother, Mikko is also a football player and played alongside Markus at Cowdenbeath for part of the successful 2005/06 season.
His father is Matti Paatelainen.