In 1996, he was sold to fellow Serie A club Bologna F.C. 1909 in co-ownership deal. He returned to A.C. Milan in June 1997 for reported 2 billion Italian lire, and played 19 games for the club in the 1997–98 Serie A season. He did not play any games as Milan won the 1998–99 Serie A championship, and moved to Serie A club Vicenza Calcio halfway through that season via Parma. Milan signed Federico Giunti and sold Cardone to Parma. In 1999–2000 Serie A he was loaned to AC Venezia. In summer 2000 Vicenza signed Cardone from Parma for 2,200 million lire (€1,136,205) in another co-ownership deal, in 4-year contract.