Birkirkara nets Mauro Esposito from Atletico Roma

Esposito made his debut for the Italian national team in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Slovenia, starting in a 0-1 loss in Celje.

He would be later called by coach Marcello Lippi for the pre-World Cup stage held on May 2/3, but did not make the final cut. Esposito made his professional debut in 1997 with Pescara Calcio.

After an unsuccessful trial with Rangers, he joined Udinese Calcio, with which he first appeared in Serie A, playing just nine league games in two years, and also being loaned to his previous club.

In 2001-02, Esposito moved to Cagliari Calcio in the second division, being an undisputed starter during his spell with the Sardinian side, and scoring in double digits in three of his six seasons – in the 2003–04 campaign, he netted a career-best 17 goals in 40 matches, with his team finishing in second position and returning to the top flight after a five-year absence.

In June 2008, Esposito was purchased definitely by Roma for €350,000. During his two seasons with the capital side, however, he was very rarely used, with all of his league appearances coming in 2007–08; on 1 September 2008, he was sent on loan to A.C. Chievo Verona.