Liam Duckstein
Haller’s Return Confirmed
Sébastien Haller has officially left Borussia Dortmund to sign with FC Utrecht on a permanent basis. The move was confirmed on August 18, 2025, with the Ivorian striker putting pen to paper on a one-year contract running until 2026. The deal follows his successful loan spell with Utrecht during the second half of the 2024/25 season.
Impact at Utrecht
The Africa Cup of Nations champion made an instant impact upon returning to the Netherlands earlier this year, helping Utrecht secure a historic fourth-place finish in the Eredivisie and qualification for European football. His leadership and decisive contributions in front of goal proved vital in propelling the club to new heights, cementing his place as a fan favorite.
Journey with Borussia Dortmund
Haller’s time at Dortmund was marked by resilience as much as by goals. 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 returned in inspirational fashion during the 2022/23 season, scoring nine goals and providing five assists as Dortmund pushed Bayern Munich to the wire in the Bundesliga title race.
His Dortmund chapter also included a tough loan spell at Leganés in Spain before rediscovering his form with Utrecht. In total, Haller departs BVB having recorded 12 goals and 6 assists in 41 matches across all competitions.
Haller on His Move
Speaking at his official signing, Haller shared his delight at rejoining Utrecht:
“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. Last year, we built something special and I want to be part of it for longer. When you see what we’ve accomplished in Europe, it’s fantastic. Great matches, excellent results. The only thing you think is: I want to be part of it, to help the team. And now that’s a reality.”
Looking Ahead
At 31, Haller brings experience, leadership, and a proven scoring touch to a Utrecht side embarking on a rare European adventure. His permanent signing signals the club’s intent to build on last season’s breakthrough and maintain their momentum on both domestic and continental fronts.