A prolific striker, Petersen has won Faroese league winner medals with GÍ Gøta and B36 Tórshavn.
Petersen made his debut for the Faroe Islands in an October 1995 European Championship qualifying match against San Marino, coming on as a substitute for Todi Jónsson.
On 7 September 2002, Petersen scored 2 goals within the first 8 minutes in a European Championship qualifying match, to give the Faroe Islands a 2–0 lead against Scotland.
Given the chance to extend Faroe Islands lead to 3-0 after half time, alone with the goalie, Petersens attempt went above the post, as the ball hit a trench before impact.
[6] and since January 2019 he has been the head coach for the Faroe Islands women's national football team.