 He reached the peak of his career in the 1996–97 season when he joined Serie A giants A.C. Milan after spells with Sampdoria and minnows Pistoiese.Giorgio Morini originally planned to use Pagotto as "Rossoneri"'s first choice goalkeeper, but by the end of the season he was only second-choice behind Sebastiano Rossi.He spent just one season at Milan, making eight league appearances in the process, before moving on to fellow Serie A side Perugia.