[3] On 20 September 2006 he scored a hat-trick on his first start for Hearts in a Scottish League Cup tie against Second Division side Alloa in a 4–0 win.

[5] On 16 January 2007, it was reported that Mäkelä was training with German side Greuther Fürth pending a possible six-month loan move,[6] however it was subsequently announced that he would be spending the rest of the season with FC Thun.

On 24 April 2008, Mäkelä returned to his former club HJK Helsinki on an initial three-month loan deal.

On 22 July 2008, it was confirmed by Hearts that Mäkelä had returned from his successful loan spell with HJK Helsinki, in which he scored seven goals in 13 games, and would immediately join his teammates for pre-season training in Germany.

[8] On 2 February 2009, transfer deadline day, Hearts announced Mäkelä had been released after 23 appearances and five goals in all competitions.

He scored his first Sydney goal in his home debut after coming off the bench against Gold Coast United on 8 January 2011.

Bundesliga with SV Sandhausen and Swiss Super League with FC St. Gallen, Mäkelä returned to Finland, signing for Åland club IFK Mariehamn on a short-term deal.