Ukkonen started playing football in his hometown club Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) in top-tier Mestaruussarja in 1979.
In 1982, Ukkonen moved from Finland to Belgium, when he was bought by Cercle Brugge.
Ukkonen made his Belgian début on 13 November, when Cercle defeated SV Waregem with 2–1.
Ukkonen would spend most of his career in Belgium, also playing for other First division teams as Lokeren, Anderlecht and Royal Antwerp.
[1] Ukkonen ended his playing career with French side LB Châteauroux.