Dortmund’s Haller finally makes competitive debut six months after €31m signing

Haller made a full recovery from cancer to play competitively for Borussia Dortmund | Imago

BUNDESLIGA Dortmund’s Haller finally makes competitive debut six months after €31m signing

Ayoola Kelechi 20:17 - 22.01.2023

It has taken a while, but Ivorian striker Haller has finally played a competitive match for Dortmund after winning battle with cancer

Borussia Dortmund’s Sebastian Haller finally made his long-awaited competitive debut for the club after missing six months of action while treating testicular cancer.

Haller’s long road to recovery

Haller replaced Youssoufa Moukoko in the 62nd minute of Dortmund’s Bundesliga clash with Augsburg to finally lay to rest the ghosts of a turbulent first six months at the club.

Haller joined Dortmund in July 2022 from Ajax for €31 million, and was seen as an ideal replacement for Erling Haaland who had just departed Germany for Manchester City.

Sebastian Haller went through several months of treatment (Pro Shots)

However, fans of Borussia Dortmund have had to wait until today to see their star summer acquisition play a competitive game for them because soon after signing, he was diagnosed with cancer after complaining of some discomfort.

Haller spent the next six months fighting for his life while Dortmund fought the Bundesliga battle without him.

He went through two surgeries and bouts of chemotherapy, but he has finally been able to rejoin his teammates for the second half of the season.

Haller could be vital for Dorrmund

Haller was unable to get on the scoresheet as Dortmund ran out 4-3 winners in an end-to-end contest against Augsburg, but given his pedigree, it is a matter of time before he gets amongst the goals for BVB.

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The Ivorian forward scored 34 goals in 43 games in his last season with Ajax, including 11 in eight Uefa Champions League fixtures which shot him into the limelight and earned him a move to Dortmund.

Should he find that kind of form again, Dortmund would be more than happy that he has been able to rejoin the first team so soon after a life-threatening situation.

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