Paavo Mustonen
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paavo Tariu Mustonen | ||
| Date of birth | 10 November 1989 | ||
| 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
| 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
- ^ Appearances in OFC Men's Champions League
- ^ Appearances in OFC Men's Champions League
- ^ Appearances in OFC Men's Champions League
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ Thomas, Gareth (11 June 2025). "Paavo Mustonen: The Heart and Soul of Cook Islands Football". Retrieved 15 December 2025.