Career
Cagliari & early career
After a loan spell in Serie C1 team Sambenedettese, his first club Atalanta sold him to Cagliari Calcio in co-ownership deal, for €570,000 (with Simone Loria moved to Atalanta for an undisclosed fee). He earned a permanent move to Cagliari in June 2006, for an additional €1.5 million, and spent a seven-year spell playing 176 league matches at the team until the 2011-2012 season. Genoa
On 12 July 2012, Canini joined Genoa C.F.C. on a four-year deal for €2.9 million.
Atalanta return
He returned to former club Atalanta on 9 January 2013 for €1 million in a co-ownership deal in a 4½ year contract, as part of Thomas Manfredini"s deal for €1.25 million.
In June 2013 Canini"s co-ownership was renewed. Chievo (loan)
On 27 January 2014 he was signed by Chievo in a temporary deal.
In June 2014 Atalanta acquired Canini outright from Genoa. Football Club Tokyo (loan)
On 27 July 2014 he was signed by J. League Division 1 side Football Club Tokyo in a temporary deal.
Canini left Japan on 24 June 2015.
Ascoli
On 18 September 2015 Canini was signed by Ascoli. International career
He played in 2005 Fédération internationale de football association World Youth Championship, and 2006 and 2007 Union of European Football Associations European Under-21 Football Championship.