Paavo Mustonen

Paavo Mustonen

Personal information
Full name	Paavo Tariu Mustonen
Date of birth	(1989-11-10) 10 November 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth	Maryborough, Australia
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position	Right winger
Team information
Current team	Tupapa Maraerenga
Number	7
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004-2011	Tupapa Maraerenga	2	(4)
2012	Nikao Sokattak	12	(22)
2013	Puaikura	12	(36)
2014-	Tupapa Maraerenga	28	(52)
International career‡
2007–	Cook Islands	17	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 2 September 2015 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 16 May 2024

Paavo Mustonen (born 10 November 1989) is a Cook Islands footballer who plays as a forward. He currently plays for Tupapa Maraerenga in the Cook Islands Round Cup and the Cook Islands national football team.

Mustonen was born in Maryborough, Australia, to a Cook Islands mother and a Finnish father. ^[1] He is of Atiuan descent.

Career summary

Paavo Mustonen is one of the most accomplished and enduring footballers in the history of the Cook Islands.he began playing senior football at just 15 years of age and quickly established himself as a prolific attacking player.

He briefly stayed in London, where he would fail join a club, and Frankfurt where he spent a year playing.

Mustonen has spent 20 years of his club career with Tupapa Maraerenga, interrupted by spells with Nikao Sokattak and Puaikura. Across the Cook Islands Round Cup, he has been a dominant figure, winning 15 league titles in the past 19 seasons. His most prolific domestic season came in 2013 with Puaikura, where he scored 36 goals in 12 league matches, and also recording 11 goal in the Cook Islands Cup. He has also represented Tupapa Maraerenga in the OFC Men’s Champions League.

In addition to his 11-a-side career, Mustonen has competed in futsal and beach soccer, both domestically and internationally. His futsal development in Australia played a key role in shaping his technical style and tactical understanding.

At international level, Mustonen has represented the Cook Islands since 2007, earning 17 senior caps. He has featured in World Cup qualifiers, the Pacific Games, and regional competitions, playing against leading Oceania nations such as New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. Among his most notable international results are victories over Kiribati, Tonga, and Samoa, as well as a memorable draw against Tahiti as a teenager. He also has represented the Atiu Football Association in the Cook Islands Games.

Later in his career, Mustonen has transitioned into coaching, serving as assistant coach of the Cook Islands under-15 national team. ^[2]

Playing style

Paavo is known to be an extremely versatile player being capable of playing as a Forward, Midfielder and Defender whilst also having a two-footed nature to himself, being left footed and also having a strong right foot which he often isn't afraid to use. He excels in crossing, set pieces and long-range shooting. He is also very much capable of other attributes such as dribbling, finishing, tackling and controlling the ball.

Personal life

Mustonen owns Mustonen Constructions, who sponsor the Cook Islands Round Cup and Puaikura's kits.

Mustonen is a supporter of the Premier League club Chelsea.

Mustonen has 3 daughters Tina, Marito and Juhani and his wife Tara.

Career statistics

Club

As of 14 December 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Shield		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Tupapa Maraerenga	2004	Round Cup	1	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	3
	2005	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2006	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2007	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2008	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2009	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2010	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2011	Round Cup	1	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1
	2014	Round Cup	12	30	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	30
	2015	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2016	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	-	-	3 [a]	0	—	—	3	0
	2017	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2018	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2019	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2020	Round Cup	15	15	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	15	15
	2021	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2022	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2023	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	2024	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	-	-	3 [b]	0	—	—	3	0
	2025	Round Cup	—	—	—	—	-	-	1 [c]	0	—	—	1	0
Total			27	52	0	0	0	0	7	0	0	0	34	52
Nikao Sokattak	2012	Round Cup	12	22	1	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	13	26
Puaikura	2013	Round Cup	12	36	-	-	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	36
Career total			51	110	3	15	1	4	7	0	0	0	57	114

International

Cook Islands
Year	Apps	Goals
2007	4	0
2008	0	0
2009	1	0
2010	0	0
2011	3	0
2012	0	0
2013	0	0
2014	0	0
2015	2	0
2023	3	0
2024	3	0
Total	17	0

Statistics accurate as of matches played 14 December 2025

Honours

Nikao Sokattak

• Cook Islands Round Cup: 2006, 2008, 2009
• Cook Islands Cup: 2007, 2008

Tupapa Maraerenga

• Cook Islands Round Cup: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
• Cook Islands Cup: 2013

Notes

1. Appearances in OFC Men's Champions League
2. Appearances in OFC Men's Champions League
3. Appearances in OFC Men's Champions League

References

1. Hämäläinen, Tuomas (24 December 2023). "Paavo, 34, elää paratiisisaarilla – maajoukkueen kokenut pelaaja unelmoi ensimatkasta Suomeen: "Näkemään viikinkejä"" [Paavo, 34, lives on paradise islands – the experienced national team player dreams of his first trip to Finland: "To see Vikings"]. MTV Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 July 2025.
2. Thomas, Gareth (11 June 2025). "Paavo Mustonen: The Heart and Soul of Cook Islands Football" . Retrieved 15 December 2025.