Transfer (association football)
In professional football, a transfer is the action taken whenever a player under contract moves between clubs. It refers to the transferring of a player's registration from one association football club to another. In general, the players can only be transferred during a transfer window and according to the rules set by a governing body. A negotiated transfer fee is agreed financial compensation paid from an interested club, to the club that possesses the player's exclusive contracted playing rights. When a player moves from one club to another, their old contract is terminated whilst the player and their new destination club will both negotiate on new contract terms. As such, the transfer fee functions as financial compensation for the early mutually agreed termination of the contract of a professional football player. Transfer fees are contingent on the player’s current football abilities, future potential, duration of the existing contract, amount of future salary owed and the willingness of clubs to agree on an economic equilibrium through supply and demand.
In 1996, Dutchman Edgar Davids was the first high-profile player to move on a free transfer via the Bosman ruling.
Neymar's transfer to Barcelona in 2013 became the subject of investigation.
John Hartson failed medical tests which led to the shelving of three potential transfers in 2000.
Zinedine Zidane was the most expensive player in the world for eight years.
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Football Association ASBL v Jean-Marc Bosman (1995) C-415/93 is a 1995 European Court of Justice decision concerning freedom of movement for workers, freedom of association, and direct effect of article 39 of the Treaty of Rome.
Edgar Davids was the first European high-profile player to benefit from the Bosman ruling, in 1996.
