Cesena Born in
Russi,
Ravenna, Valdifiori started his professional career at Italian club
Cesena. A former member of the club's youth system, his debut for the Cesena senior side came on 14 May 2005, in a 3–3 away from home draw with
Genoa, during the
2004–05 Serie B season. He made one further appearance that season, in the last round. The following season, the 2005–06 season, the youngster made just one appearance, coming off the bench. In order to gain more playing time, he went out on loan to
Pavia for the 2006–07 season, where he made 24
Serie C1 appearances that season. The following season he went out on loan once more, this time to
Legnano, who were then in Serie C1, and made 17 appearances for the side that season. The
2007–08 Serie B season also saw the relegation of Cesena to the Lega Pro Prima Divisione (formerly the Serie C1).
Empoli In June 2008, Cesena sold Valdifiori to
Serie B team
Empoli in a
co-ownership deal for €520,000. The defensive midfielder immediately became an important part of the first team at Empoli, playing 32 games during the 2008–09 season, as Empoli achieved a Serie B playoff spot for promotion, but unfortunately lost out to
Brescia over two legs. In June 2009 Empoli signed Valdifiori outright for another €800,000. The
2009–10 Serie B season was similarly strong for Valdifiori, who made 36 appearances and even managed his first professional goal - the 2nd in a 2–0 win over his former side Cesena. In the
2010–11 Serie B season, Valdifiori remained a vital part of the Empoli set up, appearing in 38 matches, including his 100th for Empoli which came against
Novara on the 8 April 2011. He also scored a career high two goals that season, with both of his strikes earning draws for his side. In the
2011–12 Serie B season, the midfield maestro sat out for a long period of time, missing rounds 21–36 of the Serie B season due to injury. Empoli finished in the relegation playoff zone this season, but fortunately managed an aggregate 3–2 win over
Vicenza to remain in Serie B the following season. Empoli had a successful
2012–13 Serie B season, surprising everyone by managing to turn around their form from the previous season, thanks to the presence of a healthy Valdifiori, whose presence throughout the season was vital to the team's performances. The holding midfielder made 42 appearances, scoring 1 goal and providing 6 assists. Empoli finished in the playoff spots and beat Novara in the first playoff round, but lost to
Livorno in the following stage of the playoff, falling one step short of promotion to Serie A. Empoli finally achieved Serie A promotion during the
2013–14 Serie B season, which saw Valdifiori play a key part in the team's success, as he managed 8 assists in 40 appearances that season. In the
2014–15 Serie A season, Valdifiori finally made his
Serie A debut in a 2–0 loss to
Udinese on the first match-day of the season. In the club's fourth-Round fixture against
A.C. Milan, he was sent off after receiving two consecutive
yellow cards in the 85th and 86th minute. In his Round 6 return against
Palermo, he assisted twice to help his side to a 3–0 win over Palermo, their first Serie A win that season. He
captained Empoli for the first time in Round 19, in a 0–0 draw against
Internazionale.
Napoli After having a very successful first season in the Italian top flight with Empoli, which saw him earn his first call up for the
Italy national team by manager
Antonio Conte, Valdifiori officially joined
Napoli on 20 June 2015 for a reported fee of €5.5 million, where he was reunited with his former Empoli coach
Maurizio Sarri, also becoming the manager's very first signing at the new club. Valdifiori signed a four-year contract which will earn him €900,000 a season.
Torino On 31 August 2016, after having played as a starter for Napoli in the first round of the season, he was purchased outright by
Torino.
SPAL On 16 August 2018, Valdifiori signed with
Serie A side
SPAL.
Pescara On 8 September 2020, Valdifiori signed with
Serie B club
Pescara. On 14 January 2022, his contract with Pescara was terminated by mutual consent.
Vis Pesaro On 12 November 2022, Valdifiori joined
Serie C club
Vis Pesaro for the 2022–23 season. == International career ==