- 1,277
- 86
- 48
Sebastien Haller has called the emotional welcome from Dortmund fans "the best thing I could get" after making his long-awaited competitive debut for his new club following a six-month battle against testicular cancer.
Haller, 28, was given the diagnosis shortly after signing for Dortmund in July 2022 on the back of a 34-goal campaign with Ajax. After feeling unwell during BVB's pre-season tour of Switzerland, he underwent tests that revealed a malignant tumour.
The 6'3" striker underwent two surgeries and chemotherapy in the ensuing months, before getting the green light to link back up with his teammates on their return to training on 2 January 2023.
"I feel good," he told media at Dortmund's winter training camp in Marbella, Spain, on 9 January. "Of course, it's been a tough six months. Obviously, I'm just happy to be here with the guys, to be able to train. So, yeah, it was not easy - but it was worth it. It's my job, it's also the thing I love the most - to play football - so I had to stay fit."
Haller, 28, was given the diagnosis shortly after signing for Dortmund in July 2022 on the back of a 34-goal campaign with Ajax. After feeling unwell during BVB's pre-season tour of Switzerland, he underwent tests that revealed a malignant tumour.
The 6'3" striker underwent two surgeries and chemotherapy in the ensuing months, before getting the green light to link back up with his teammates on their return to training on 2 January 2023.
"I feel good," he told media at Dortmund's winter training camp in Marbella, Spain, on 9 January. "Of course, it's been a tough six months. Obviously, I'm just happy to be here with the guys, to be able to train. So, yeah, it was not easy - but it was worth it. It's my job, it's also the thing I love the most - to play football - so I had to stay fit."