FC Utrecht announce that Sébastien Haller returns to the club.
Club Statement:
Sébastien Haller has signed with FC Utrecht. The 31-year-old striker has been signed permanently from Borussia Dortmund and is currently under contract until the summer of 2026.
A regional newspaper wondered aloud this week whether this is the best period in FC Utrecht's history. Arbitrary, of course, but it is certainly beautiful. Last season, they broke records and secured a fourth-place finish in the Eredivisie.
Now, they have a well-balanced squad and, after away matches in Moldova and Switzerland, have reached the group stage of European football. The Galgenwaard Stadium is almost always sold out, major partners are committing to the club, and away matches, even in Europe, feel like home matches. As head coach Ron Jans recently rightly remarked: "FC Utrecht is alive!"
Yet, there's always something to be desired. For example, the 2-1 defeat at Sparta Rotterdam was unnecessary. In the stands, in the streets of Utrecht, and on social media, the focus in recent weeks has been on one man: Haller. Will Seb return? Last year, he was on loan for half a season and helped secure fourth place in the league. A key player both on and off the pitch.
FC Utrecht went into Europe, but Haller returned to Borussia Dortmund. Until this weekend. Thanks to the combined efforts of FC Utrecht, Borussia Dortmund, and especially Haller himself, the transfer was completed. The Ivorian striker has signed a one-year contract and will immediately join Jans' squad.
"I'm happy and satisfied. Everything, really," was the striker's initial reaction. "There was considerable interest from other clubs this summer. But for me, there was only one ideal scenario, and that was FC Utrecht. We've built something beautiful this past year, and I want to be a part of it for a longer period. If you see what we've done in Europe: fantastic. Good matches, big results. The only thing you think is: I want to be there, to help the team. And now I've succeeded."
"Utrecht is a great place for me, just like the Netherlands. I can bring my family back to a place they know. That brings peace and is crucial for me: being together with my family again. Of course, it took a while. There were a few challenges, but in the end, both clubs cooperated well. I'm very grateful for that."
Now that Haller is back under contract with FC Utrecht, the logical next question is how fit he is. "91 percent," he jokingly refers to his shirt number from last season.
"No, I can't put a number on it. I spent part of the pre-season with Dortmund. If anyone knows their body well, it's me. I know when I can be valuable to the team. On and off the pitch. I can't wait!"