Tonelli started his career in a local side of Fano – A.S.D. C.S.I. Delfino Fano.[1] He then signed by Cesena and played in the "Berretti" reserve league in 2008–09 season.[2] Tonelli spent 2009–10 season in the "spring" reserve league (dedicated for the reserve of Serie A and B), as Cesena was promoted.
In mid-2010 Tonelli left for amateur club Santarcangelo along with Angelo Gregorio and Nicola Del Pivo. The club won the Group F of 2010–11 Serie D and promoted.
On 30 June 2011, the last day of 2010–11 financial year, Tonelli was sold to Serie B club Vicenza in co-ownership, for €600,000. Co-currently, Edoardo Bonicelli was signed by Cesena in the same formula. Tonelli signed a 4-year contract while Bonicelli signed a 3-year deal.[3][4] Despite both players yet to make professional debut at that time, the aggressive price tag made both club had a profit of €1.2 million despite in form of increase in intangible asset (Tonelli for Vicenza; Bonicelli for Cesena). Moreover, it created an amortize cost of €400,000 to Cesena in next 3 seasons and Vicenza of €300,000 in next 4 seasons if both players eventually worth nothing. Lastly, both clubs had to pay VAT. On 30 June 2011, Cesena had a positive net asset of €502,106 thus passed the financial test for 2011–12 Serie A without re-capitalization due to negative equity. However the positive net equity was boosted by G.Bassoli (€2M), Palumbo (€2M), J.Luppi (€1.5M) and Bonicelli (€1.2M). On Vicenza side, the club had a positive net equity of €5,210,591 which boosted by new signing Minesso (€2M) and Tonelli (€1.2M) as well as residual value of retired player Di Donato (€0.6M).
Tonelli returned to Santarcangelo for 2011–12 Lega Pro Seconda Divisione in temporary deal from Vicenza/Cesena. The club also signed G.Bassoli from Cesena/Bologna and Kadir Caidi and Angelo Gregorio from Bologna/Cesena and Nicola Del Pivo, Rivolino Gavoci and Daniele Ferri from Cesena only.
On 16 August 2012 Tonelli left for Venezia.[5] Tonelli made his debut in Lega Pro Cup as a substitute.[6] He also made his first starts for the club in the second match of the cup.[7] Tonelli was a substitute in most of his appearances for Venice .
On 20 June 2013 Vicenza gave up the remain registration rights of Bonicelli as well as Cesena gave up the remain registration rights of Tonelli.[8] On 23 July 2013 Tonelli was signed by Forlì.[9][10]