On 7 September 2012, Gavazzi was signed by Serie A club U.C. Sampdoria for €1.2 million in 4-year contract. Vicenza acquired Franco Semioli and Marco Padalino outright for free, as well as the loan of Gavazzi and Zsolt Laczkó. In January 2013 Vicenza released Gavazzi from loan. Gavazzi played 7 times for Sampdoria in Serie A, all in 2013–14 season.