He began his professional career with Empoli F.C. in 1998, from CND team Monterotondo; he won the Torneo di Viareggio in 2000 with the youth side. He spent three seasons at the club only to leave the team for Parma in 2001, where he won the 2001–02 Coppa Italia, though he only played in the first leg of the final. He played little during his first two years at Parma, and was loaned to Italian club Piacenza for the second half of the 2002–03 season, in order to get more playing time, experience, and increase his skills. His performances were convincing enough that he was recalled back to Parma and included in the first team for the 2003–04 season.