Cape Town - Sias Ebersohn will head back to the Cheetahs after the flyhalf was released from his contract by the Western Force.
The 26-year-old, who joined the Force from the Cheetahs ahead of the 2013 Super Rugby season, played 43 matches - scoring 212 points - across his three seasons for the Western Australian franchise.
Ebersohn made a strong contribution to the Force over the past three seasons, including playing a key role during their most successful season in 2014.
But he underperformed in 2015, with the Force opting to let him go.
According to Netwerk24, Ebersohn will head back to Bloemfontein and will be available for the Cheetahs in this year's Currie Cup competition.
He becomes Free State's second flyhalf addition following the signing of Fred Zeilinga from the Sharks.
Other flyhalves - Joe Pietersen (Sharks) and Elgar Watts (EP Kings) - recently left the Cheetahs.