Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Petta's early playing career was with Feyenoord, from the age of 13 to 21, but he never became a regular in the first team during that period, having loan spells at Dordrecht'90 and RKC Waalwijk.

[21] In June 2005 he signed a two-year deal with Bradford City in League One,[22] and again scored on his debut in a 2–0 win at Hartlepool United on 6 August.

[23] In July 2006, Petta was given permission to leave Bradford and move to Australia, where he failed a trial at Brisbane Roar before signing for Adelaide United of the A-League.

He was invited to have a trial with A-League club Sydney FC in late July, and join up with his former coach at Adelaide, John Kosmina.

In June 2011, Petta held talks with new Alloa Athletic manager Paul Hartley, with a view to resurrecting his playing career with the Scottish Third Division side.

[27] Petta was called up by manager Louis van Gaal for the Netherlands national team in February 2001, ahead of a friendly against Turkey, but had to withdraw through injury.

[29] In December 2002, during the Celtic team Christmas party, Petta and fellow players Joos Valgaeren, Johan Mjallby and Neil Lennon ended up in police custody after a Daily Record photographer alleged they had stolen or damaged two cameras worth £12,000.