Sabato began his professional footballing career with A.C. Pavia, following his transfer from his youth club, Sport ad Avigliano in the summer of 2000.
Following his impressive form in the lower divisions of Italian football, he was sold to Cosenza Calcio 1914 prior to the start of the 2002–03 Serie B season.
[5] Despite being a part of coach Pasquale Marino's plans during his first season in Sicily, the player was instantly loaned out prior to the new Serie A adventure.
loan spell, however, as the player was a fixture in the team's starting line-up for much of the season, making 32 league appearances, and also netting a goal.
Upon his return to Catania, following the expiration of the loan deal, Sabato remained in Sicily for the 2007–08 Serie A season, under coach Silvio Baldini.
Under Baldini, the player was used often, and made 19 appearances in the league, helping guide the team to salvation against relegation for the second consecutive season.
Despite his efforts, the club failed to avoid relegation, as they lost the play-off match versus Padova, following an 18th-place finish in the league table.