Lerda began his career with the Torino youth system, at the age of 16, joining the first team during the 1985–86 season. He made his professional debut with the club on 6 November 1985, coming on for Júnior in Torino's 3–1 defeat to Hajduk in the return leg of the round of 16 of the UEFA Cup. He made his Serie A debut on 24 November, in a 4–1 home win over Pisa, coming on for Schachner. He remained with the club for two seasons, collecting 19 appearances, and scoring 1 goal. He subsequently played in the lower divisions with Messina, Taranto, Triestina (in Serie B), Chievo Verona (in Serie C1), Cesena, and Brescia (in Serie B once again). He helped Brescia to earn Serie A promotion during the 1993–94 Serie B season, also winning the Anglo-Italian Cup with the club in 1994.