Cerci started his professional football career at Roma, playing four times for the first team before serving periods on loan at Brescia, Pisa and Atalanta.

[3] In September 2014, he was sold to Atlético Madrid, before returning to Italy to play for AC Milan and Genoa.

He played 21 times for Brescia (mostly as a substitute), helping the team finish the season in sixth place.

Pisa was then a newly promoted side in Serie B and coached by Gian Piero Ventura, who quickly made Cerci a starter in his formation against Bari and Frosinone.

Magnetic resonance imaging highlighted that Cerci had broken his meniscus and had inflammation to his anterior cruciate ligament.

Returning to Roma, Cerci was prepared to stay in the capital to play in Serie A, but on 25 July 2008, was loaned out to Atalanta for €250,000 with the right to purchase the player in co-ownership for €2.75 million.

Cerci returned to play for Roma in the 2009–10 season, scoring his first official goal for the club on 27 August 2009, a 4–0 victory against Košice in the UEFA Europa League playoffs (7–1 on aggregate).

[10][11][12] Cerci made his debut for Fiorentina in the 29 August 2010 match against Napoli, ending 1–1,[13] and scored his first goal in Serie A on 7 November 2010 against Chievo (1–0).

[18][19] In the summer of 2011, Cerci became the focus of a transfer to Manchester City under the direct request of its manager, Roberto Mancini.

[22] He repeated himself against Parma, Lazio and Lecce, but erratic performances and a difficult relationship with the fans called into question his permanence in Florence.

[43] On 3 November, Cerci ended Roma's record ten-match winning streak, scoring the 1–1 at home for Torino.

[49] With teammate Ciro Immobile suspended, Cerci was the difference in a 2–1 against Cagliari, assisting the first goal and scoring the second on 30 March.

[52] Nevertheless, Parma failed to obtain a UEFA licence, which meant that Torino, who finished seventh in Serie A, progressed to the third qualifying round of the 2014–15 Europa League in their place.

[55] On 1 September 2014, Cerci signed a three-year deal with La Liga title holders Atlético Madrid for a transfer fee believed to be around €16 million.

[56] He debuted for the club 19 days later, replacing Raúl Jiménez for the final eight minutes of a 2–2 home draw against Celta de Vigo.

[70] On 17 March 2013, Cerci was called up for the first time to the Italian senior squad by Cesare Prandelli for a friendly match against Brazil and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification against Malta.

[75] On 11 April 2014, Cerci was included in the list of 30 provisional players by Cesare Prandelli for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil,[76] with his place confirmed in the final 23–man squad on 1 June.

[79] Cerci is a naturally left footed player, with excellent technique, vision and remarkable quickness, playing mainly as a winger or as an attacking midfielder on the flank.

He can play on both wings, but prefers the right, from which he can cut inside and shoot or provide crosses and assists with his stronger foot.