He then went to Virtus Lanciano and was awarded the title of top scorer in 2011–12 Lega Pro Prima Divisione season, contributing to the promotion of the team with 16 goals in all competitions and 15 in the league.

However, during the season, he suffered a suspension of 40 days for doping, resulting in positive tests of tuaminoheptane after 26 December 2012 game against Livorno, Sassuolo lodged an appeal against the ban due to the assumption of Rinoflumicil, found in a nasal decongestant.

[6] Pavoletti turned down a last minute transfer deadline deal on 31 August 2014 to Leeds United deciding to stay at Sassuolo where he would compete for places up front with highly rated strikers Simone Zaza, Nicola Sansone and Domenico Berardi.

[14][15] On 30 August 2017, Pavoletti joined Cagliari on loan, with an obligation to buy at the end of season, for €10 million plus bonuses, making him the club's most expensive acquisition ever.

[21] On 25 August 2019, Pavoletti was stretchered off just before half-time in an eventual 1–0 home defeat to Brescia in Cagliari's opening league match of the season; it was later revealed that he had injured the ACL and meniscus in his right knee, and would be ruled out for at least three months.

His height, combined with his heading accuracy, timing, and elevation give him an edge in winning aerial challenges; as such, many of his goals are from headers, and he often functions as a target-man.

A tall, physically strong, determined, and hard-working right-footed striker, although he is neither particularly quick nor particularly skilful from a technical standpoint, he is known for his intelligent attacking movement, positional sense, and eye for goal, as well as his link-up play, and his ability to get on the end of his teammates' crosses and finish off chances in the six-yard box with his head as well as either foot.