Sébastien Haller Joins FC Utrecht on Permanent Deal

Borussia Dortmund Striker Sébastien Haller Signs with Utrecht until 2026

Sébastien Haller has signed a permanent deal with FC Utrecht, leaving Borussia Dortmund after a three-year stint. The Ivorian striker joins Utrecht on a one-year contract until 2026.

“Now he is returning to Utrecht – to a club that means a lot to him and for which he has regularly played...”

Sébastien Haller has officially left Borussia Dortmund to join FC Utrecht on a permanent basis, marking the end of his rollercoaster spell with the German club. The 31-year-old Ivorian striker signed a one-year contract with Utrecht, running until 2026, after terminating his Dortmund contract a year early.

Haller's Journey with Dortmund

Haller's time at Dortmund was marked by resilience and determination. Signed in 2022 for around €31 million, his early months were interrupted by a testicular cancer diagnosis that sidelined him for much of the campaign. He made an inspiring return in the 2022/23 season, scoring nine goals and providing five assists as Dortmund pushed Bayern Munich to the wire in the Bundesliga title race. During his three-year stint, Haller recorded 12 goals and 6 assists in 41 matches across all competitions.

Weer bij ons. 🏠 pic.twitter.com/2PPj0DffDR

— FC Utrecht (@fcutrecht) August 18, 2025

Haller's Impact at Utrecht

Haller expressed his delight at rejoining Utrecht, saying, “I'm happy and content. In fact, everything feels right. This summer, other clubs showed interest, but for me, there was only one perfect scenario, and that was FC Utrecht.” He previously played for Utrecht between 2015 and 2017 before returning on loan last season. His leadership and decisive contributions in front of goal proved vital in propelling the club to new heights, including a historic fourth-place finish and qualification for European football.

Striker Sébastien Haller is set to depart Borussia Dortmund, joining Dutch top-flight side @fcutrecht.

Best of luck on your next chapter, Seb! 🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/8mCkoMnSuD

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 18, 2025

Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer before joining Borussia Dortmund wasn't mentioned but he joined the club in 2022 and played for them, he was diagnosed before the 2022 world cup qualifiers though. After undergoing two surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy, Haller made a remarkable recovery and returned to professional football. His determination and resilience paid off when he scored the winning goal for Ivory Coast in the 2023 AFCON final, showcasing his strength and inspiring fans worldwide.

‘Dit is mijn thuis’ ❤️
Sébastien Haller aan het woord 💬

— FC Utrecht (@fcutrecht) August 19, 2025

“Sebastien has written a special story here. He battled his cancer with impressive strength,” said Dortmund sports director Sebastian Kehl.

“Now he is returning to Utrecht – to a club that means a lot to him and for which he has regularly played in recent months. We wish Sebastien all the best for the future and, above all, good health.”

Sébastien Haller's Return to FC Utrecht

Sébastien Haller is thrilled to be back at FC Utrecht, where he'll don his familiar number 91 jersey. He expressed his excitement about the team's prospects, particularly with their upcoming playoff match against Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar, which could secure their spot in the UEFA Europa League. Utrecht fans are likely eager to see Haller in action again, given his impressive past performances with the team, including 51 goals in 98 matches between 2015 and 2017.

Haller mentioned that several clubs showed interest in him this summer, but he chose Utrecht due to the strong connection he shares with the team and its staff. He jokingly mentioned being "91 percent fit," referencing his jersey number and hinting at his readiness to take on the new season. With Utrecht's ambitions to qualify for European competitions, Haller's experience and goal-scoring prowess will be crucial.

“However, for me, there was only one ideal scenario, and that was FC Utrecht. We have built something remarkable over the past year, and I would like to continue to be a part of it.

“When you consider our achievements in Europe, it has been exceptional. Excellent matches, significant results. The only thought is: I would like to be part of that, to assist the team. And now, that has been achieved.”

Haller played for Utrecht early in his career from 2015-17.