Afonso Sousa opted to join Samsunspor after rejecting an offer from Deportivo Alavés, as the financial terms were more favorable with the Turkish club. The 25-year-old Portuguese midfielder departed from Lech Poznań, following a national championship victory, to sign a five-year contract with Samsunspor. He was reportedly swayed by the potential for significantly better earnings. Deportivo Alavés, SC Braga, RC Lens, and Levante had also made offers that were appealing in terms of sporting opportunities, but they could not match the financial package offered by Samsunspor. Lech Poznań agreed to transfer Sousa for a fee of approximately three million euros, with the possibility of increasing to 3.5 million euros through bonuses. This financial advantage was a decisive factor in Sousa's decision to choose Samsunspor over other European clubs. Transfermarkt estimates the player's market value at €5 million.