Dessena was loaned to Serie A club Cagliari in January for the remainder of the season. He made 12 appearances and scored 1 goal. After impressing during his 6-month loan spell, he joined Cagliari on a permanent deal in July 2012. In the 2012–13 season he totalled 31 appearances and three goals under managers Massimo Ficcadenti and Ivo Pulga. In the 2013–14 season he was deployed more frequently in a holding midfield position under new manager Luis Diego López. In February 2014, Dessena wore special rainbow laces against Inter Milan in support of Paddy Powers #Allacciamoli campaign to combat homophobia in football. Brescia On 10 January 2019, Dessena signed with Serie B club Brescia. Pescara On 1 February 2021, Dessena signed with Serie B club Pescara. Serie C On 20 July 2021, he signed with Virtus Entella. On 1 February 2023, Dessena moved on loan to Olbia, with an obligation to buy. International career Dessena made 2 appearances for the Italy U18 team and 7 appearances for the U-19 team. In May 2008 he won the Toulon Tournament with the Italy National Olympic team, assisting teammate Dani Osvaldo for the only goal of the victorious final against Chile. During the event, he scored a goal in Italy's victory over the United States. He played for Italy at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. From 2006 to 2009, he was a regular member of the Italy U-21's, coached by Pierluigi Casiraghi. In May 2009, he was called up to the European Championships but only made substitute appearances as second choice behind Luca Cigarini and Claudio Marchisio. He finished with a Bronze medal with Italy finishing in 3rd. Career statistics Updated 15 August 2020 Honours Cagliari Serie B: 2015–16 Italy U21 Toulon Tournament: 2008 UEFA European Under-21 Championship bronze: 2009 References 1987 births Living people Sportspeople from Parma Italian people of Sardinian descent Italian footballers Association football midfielders Serie A players Serie B players Serie C players Parma Calcio 1913 players U.C. Sampdoria players Cagliari Calcio players Brescia Calcio players Delfino Pescara 1936 players Virtus Entella players Olbia Calcio 1905 players Italy youth international footballers Italy under-21 international footballers Olympic footballers of Italy Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics Footballers from Emilia-Romagna