 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 for the team until the 2011–12 season.On 12 July 2012, Canini joined Genoa on a four-year deal for €2.9 million.He returned to former club Atalanta on 9 January 2013 for €1 million in a co-ownership deal on a 4½ year contract, as part of Thomas Manfredini's deal for €1.25 million.