Career
Tavano started his professional career with Pisa, before being sold to minor Florence team Rondinella, then in Serie C2. He then joined Empoli, where he slowly established himself as one of the stars of the small Tuscan team During the January 2006 transfer window, several Italian football pundits claimed that Real Madrid were interested in signing Tavano, but he eventually signed for Valencia in mid-2006, for €9 million.
His time in Spain, however, proved to be unsuccessful, as he fell out with coaching staff after making statements in the press which led to him being a sub player for the majority of his short stay in Spain.
In 2007 he was permanently signed by Livorno, for a reported €5.5 million on a 4-year contract. He received the #10 jersey, previously retired in honour of Igor Protti and unretired that year under explicit request from the former amaranto star.
Despite being the club top scorer in his comeback season in Tuscany, his side did not manage to escape from relegation. Tavano agreed to stay at Livorno also in their Serie B 2008-2009 campaign in order to try to lead his team back into the top fllght.
He scored a hat-trick against Avellino on the opening day of the season, making it the first round 1 hat-trick since 1994.
He would then score at Piacenza, before standing back to back with a teammate in celebration. However he had a hard season in Serie A, as Livorno were the only newly promoted team to go down. He was still described as important.
New manager Giuseppe Pillon said, "He is a fundamental player but must be motivated.
I believe he has a desire for revenge after a poor Serie A Season." Club.