According to Fanatik, Samsunspor have signed Italian centre-back Gabriele Guarino, who last played for Empoli. The club stated that Gabriele Guarino signed a 5-year contract valid until 2031. The signing ceremony occurred at Istanbul CoreX Holding and was attended by Club President Yüksel Yıldırım.

The negotiation for Gabriele Guarino's move from Empoli to Samsunspor has proceeded after the resolution of bureaucratic issues related to payment guarantees requested by Empoli. According to Pianetaempoli.it, bureaucratic issues had delayed the transfer. The parties had reached an agreement earlier in the month for the permanent transfer of Guarino, who was born in 2004, for a fee of approximately three million euros. Guarino had already agreed to contract terms with the Turkish club. The official announcement is expected at the beginning of the week. Empoli is also set to receive a percentage on any future resale of the player by the Turkish club.

Italian central defender Gabriele Guarino, 22, is expected to leave Empoli to continue his career in Turkey, as he is nearing an agreement to join Samsunspor. The move is close to being finalized. The transfer will be completed on a permanent basis for a fee of three million euros. Guarino, who joined Empoli in July 2022 and has been capped by Italy at U21 level, had a contract with the club until June 2028. In the 2025/2026 season, he made 51 appearances in Serie B, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists. His current Transfermarkt market value is €3.50m and he had also been linked with clubs in Italy, including Torino and Bologna.