On 14 July 2015, he was signed by Cagliari. He helped the club obtain promotion to Serie A during his first season with the side, and subsequently made his Serie A debut in a 3–0 win over Atalanta, on 18 September 2016 the following season, at the age of 30; having finally achieved his childhood dream of playing in the top Italian division, he was moved to tears during the post-match interview. In 2016, Pisacane was named the inaugural winner of "The Guardian"'s Footballer of the Year award, which is given to "a player who has done something truly remarkable, whether by overcoming adversity, helping others or setting a sporting example by acting with exceptional honesty".