Career
Padovano began his professional career at Asti T.S.C. in Serie C2, before short spells at, Pisa, Napoli and Genoa. He then signed for Reggiana. His performances there caught the eye of manager Marcello Lippi, who signed him in the summer of 1995.
He came on after 68 minutes, replacing fellow debutant Christian Vieri.
Padovano was eventually placed in the reserves at. After a severe knee injury, sold him to Crystal Palace in November 1997 for £1.7 million.
However Padovano struggled to adapt to the Premiership, hampered by injury and poor form. He scored just once against Leicester City in twelve appearances for the club
After falling out of favour at the south London club he was sold to Metz but failed to make an impression as once again he was injured and unable to play for some months.
Metz were in financial difficulties and he later returned to Palace (who was then in receivership) in the 1999-2000 season to make a million-pound claim against the club"s directors for lost wages. Padovano finished his career with before retiring in 2001. In May 2006, Padovano was arrested by Italian police in Torino over allegation of his implication in hashish traffic.
He was later sentenced to 8 years and 8 months in jail.