Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller has officially joined Dutch side FC Utrecht on a permanent deal, ending a rollercoaster three-year stint with the Bundesliga club.
The 31-year-old Ivory Coast international signed a one-year contract with Utrecht, the club where he first made his mark between 2015 and 2017.
Haller spent the second half of last season on loan at Utrecht, scoring six goals in 18 appearances and helping the team secure a fourth-place Eredivisie finish and a spot in the Europa League qualifiers.
Haller’s time at Dortmund was marked by both triumph and adversity. Weeks after his €31 million move from Ajax in 2022, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy.
He made a remarkable return six months later, scoring nine Bundesliga goals in the second half of the 2022–23 season, nearly clinching the title for Dortmund.
Despite flashes of brilliance, Haller struggled with form and injuries, and was eventually loaned out to Leganes in Spain before returning to Utrecht. His final appearance for Dortmund came as a substitute in the 2025 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid.
Speaking on his move, Haller said, “This summer, other clubs showed interest, but for me, there was only one perfect scenario, and that was FC Utrecht. Last year, we built something special and I want to be part of it for longer”.
Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl praised Haller’s resilience, saying, “Sebastien has written a special story here. He fought his cancer with impressive strength. We wish him all the best for the future and, above all, good health”.
Haller also remains a national hero, having scored the winning goal for Ivory Coast in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria.
