Born in Lund, Pękalski began his career with Linero IF and has also played for Lunds BK, after few years with the club he was bought by Landskrona BoIS. On 27 July 2009 Pękalski was transferred from Landskrona BoIS to Malmö FF.
Malmö FF
After only playing for the reserve team during his first year at the club he clinched a permanent spot in the starting eleven for the 2010 season. Together with Wílton Figueiredo he formed a very strong central midfield in 2010 and that was one of the major reasons why Malmö FF won the title. Consistent injury problems made Pękalski miss some matches for the 2011 season and he eventually decided to rest at the end of the season and focus on recovering fully for the 2012 season. Pękalski continued to struggle with his injury problems during the 2012 season but nevertheless played 21 matches and scored one goal for Mamö FF. Having played only one league match due to injuries as well as being discontented with the club's rehab procedures, Pękalski left the club after the 2013 season.
On 8 August 2017, it was confirmed that Pękalski had left Halmstads to sign for EFL League One side Oxford United on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Just four days later, Pękalski suffered a cruciate ligament injury during training which ruled him out for the entirety of the 2017–18 season. In July 2018 he rejoined Halmstads on loan until November 2018. Pękalski left Oxford by mutual consent on 28 February 2019 without making a single first-team appearance.
International career
Pękalski was selected for the annual training camp for the Sweden national team in January 2011, but withdrew due to minor injury problems. He was also selected for the same camp in 2012, but also this time he missed out due to injury problems. The squad selection for the camp traditionally feature the best Swedish players in domestic and other Scandinavian leagues. Pękalski was selected for the third time in 2013 and was finally able to accept the invitation after an injury-ridden season. He made his début for the national team in the 2013 King's Cup on 23 January 2013 against North Korea when he was subbed on in the second half. Pękalski played from the start in the following fixture against Finland on 26 January in the same tournament.
Personal life
Pękalski's parents are from Rzeszów, Poland. His father, Roman Pękalski, coached him until he was 14. He has a brother, Phillip, 12 years younger.
