Martínez officially transferred to the Italian Serie A on 2 August 2007 for €3.2 million, when he was officially presented by Calcio Catania prior to the start of the 2007–08 Serie A season. His debut performance came as a 56th-minute substitute in a 0–0 home draw against Genoa C.F.C. on 2 September 2007. He followed his debut up with two starting appearances, though he was substituted in both of them.