available on a free transfer
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free-transfer
Describes, in sports and especially in football/soccer, a player whose contract with their previous club has expired and who can therefore move to a new club without a transfer fee being paid.
Nach Saisonende wird der Stürmer ablösefrei sein und kann sich einen neuen Club suchen.
After the end of the season, the striker will be available on a free transfer and can look for a new club.
The word consists of 'Ablöse' (transfer fee) and 'frei' (free). Here, 'Ablöse' refers to the 'Ablösesumme' (transfer fee), a fee in professional sports. 'Ablösefrei' therefore means that no such fee has to be paid.
Der Verein konnte den Spieler verpflichten, da er ablösefrei war.
The club was able to sign the player because he was available on a free transfer.
This word is used almost exclusively in the context of professional sports, especially football/soccer. Outside sports reporting, it is very rare.
In den Sportnachrichten wurde über mehrere ablösefreie Spieler berichtet.
The sports news reported on several players available on free transfers.
'Ablösefrei' (available on a free transfer) is mostly used as an adverb or predicative adjective. It describes the type of transfer or the player's status.
Der Torwart wechselt ablösefrei zum neuen Verein.
The goalkeeper is moving to the new club on a free transfer.
free
'kostenlos' and 'ablösefrei' can both express that no money has to be paid for something. 'kostenlos' is general and fits many everyday situations, for example admission, help, or offers. 'ablösefrei' is much more specific and belongs mainly to sports, especially football/soccer. It describes a player who can move to a new club without a transfer fee. The words can be confused because both sound like 'without costs'. In sports, however, 'ablösefrei' is more precise when it is about a player transfer.
Der Stürmer wechselt im Juli ablösefrei zu einem neuen Verein.
The striker is moving to a new club on a free transfer in July.
Die Stadt bietet im Sommer kostenlose Sportkurse im Park an.
The city offers free sports courses in the park during the summer.