FC Utrecht announces that Sébastien Haller returns to the club.
Club statement:
Sébastien Haller has signed with FC Utrecht. The 31-year-old striker is permanently drawn from Borussia Dortmund and is currently under contract until the summer of 2026.
A regional newspaper wondered this week aloud whether this is the best period in the history of FC Utrecht. Of course random, but it is certainly beautiful. Last season they broke records and achieved fourth place in the Eredivisie.
Now they have a well -balanced team and have reached the group stage of European football after road games in Moldova and Switzerland. The Galgenwaard Stadium is almost always sold out, large partners connect for the club and road races, even in Europe, feel like home games. As head coach Ron Jans recently rightly stated: “FC Utrecht Lives!”
Yet there is always something to be desired. For example, the 2-1 defeat at Sparta Rotterdam was not necessary. In the stands, in the streets of Utrecht, and on social media, the focus in recent weeks was on one man: Haller. Will Seb return? Last year he was on loan for half a season and helped to secure fourth place in the competition. An important player both on and next to the field.
FC Utrecht went to Europe, but Haller returned to Borussia Dortmund. Until this weekend. Thanks to the combined efforts of FC Utrecht, Borussia Dortmund and especially Haller itself, the transfer was complete. The Ivorian striker has signed a one -year contract and will immediately participate in Jans' Ploeg.
“I am happy and satisfied. Everything, really,” was the first reaction of the striker. “There was a lot of interest from other clubs this summer. But for me there was only one ideal scenario, and that was FC Utrecht. We have built something beautiful in the past year, and I want to be part of it for a longer period. If you see what we have done in Europe: fantastic. Good competitions, great results. The only thing you think: I want to be there, to help the team.
“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 were well together.
Now that Haller is back under contract with FC Utrecht, the logical next question is how fit he is. “91 percent,” he refers jokes to his shirt number last season.
“No, I can't put a number on it. I spent part of the preseason with Dortmund. If someone knows his body well, I am. I know when I can be valuable for the team. On and next to the field. I can't wait!”