[1] However, he failed to break into the first team, and left England in January 2004 without making a single appearance, joining Avellino in temporary deal.
[4] Di Cesare then went on to play in Serie B with AlbinoLeffe, Catanzaro and Mantova, joining the Virgiliani in January 2006.
[5] However, co-currently, Mantova had to sign Mattia Marchesetti and Riccardo Fissore also for €1 million and €500,000,[5] thus made the deal a pure player swap without involvement of cash.
[15][16] In September 2018, after being released by Parma, Di Cesare agreed to re-join Bari, following the club's refoundation in the Serie D league.
He retired in June 2024 at the age of 41, after being instrumental in Bari's escape from relegation in a playoff match against Ternana, scoring the first goal in a 3–0 away win against the rossoverdi.