Francesco "Ciccio" Tavano (born 2 March 1979 in Caserta) is an Italian footballer.
      Tavano is a striker who is owned by Valencia CF of La Liga, but has been sent on loan to AS Roma for the rest of the 2006/2007 season. He was the top scorer of his former club Empoli, and was considered one of the stars of the small Tuscan team, which he joined in 2001, as well as one of the most talented Italian youngsters of his generation. During the 2006 January transfer window, several Italian football pundits claimed that Real Madrid were interested in signting Tavano, but would eventually sign for Valencia during Summer 2006.
      He is a temperamental player and upon moving to Valencia fell out with coaching staff after making statements in the press which led to him being a sub player for the majority of the short stay which he has had. Like most Italian players he has struggled to make a name for himself and hasn't had the opportunity to adapt to Spanish football. Tavano, just like other Italian players who have gone abroad, did not adapt very well at all but the reason wasn't particulary about his style of play, after talking to Calcio Sport he claimed that the coach thought of him as a ghost, and did not base any of the team's play's around Tavano, now that Tavano has returned for a loan spell with AS Roma, italian football might not lose one of it's greatest newcomers.
      He has found his way back to Italy with AS Roma due to their lack of recognisable fowards. He will likely operate as first choice centre foward as Roma look to push Inter and can also be effective on the left side of attack. Now back in Italy he will look to get into Roberto Donadoni's Azzurri squad.
      Tavano has also played for Rondinella (1999/2000 and 2000/2001, both times in Serie C2).