Sébastien Haller completes permanent move to FC Utrecht from Borussia Dortmund

Sébastien Haller has sealed a permanent transfer to FC Utrecht, ending his spell with Borussia Dortmund and committing his future to the Dutch club.

The Ivorian striker, who had been under contract with Dortmund until 2026, will now remain in the Eredivisie after Utrecht confirmed they had reached an agreement to sign him outright.

The deal, finalised over the weekend, brings an end to speculation over his future and ensures Haller will continue in familiar surroundings where he has already enjoyed success.

Utrecht announced the move in a statement on Monday, confirming that the 31-year-old forward has signed a contract running until 2026. “Thanks to the combined efforts of FC Utrecht, Borussia Dortmund and, above all, Haller himself, the transfer has been finalised,” the club said. “The Ivorian striker has signed a one-year deal and will immediately join coach Ron Jans’ team.”

The wording of the announcement indicated a one-year initial agreement, though Haller’s overall commitment is expected to extend until 2026. The deal concludes weeks of negotiations between the clubs and the player’s representatives, with all parties determined to reach a solution before the close of the transfer window.

For Haller, the move represents what he has described as the perfect outcome. “There was a lot of interest from other clubs this summer,” he said after the announcement.

“But for me, there was only one ideal scenario: FC Utrecht. I feel I am finally in the right place, and I am happy this transfer has been completed.”

Haller’s connection with Utrecht stretches back to his first spell at the club between 2015 and 2017, when he established himself as one of the Eredivisie’s most prolific forwards.

His performances there earned him a move to Eintracht Frankfurt and later West Ham United before he returned to the Netherlands with Ajax, where he flourished once again.

Earlier this year, he made a temporary return to Utrecht when he joined the club on loan from Dortmund in the January 2025 transfer window.

In the second half of the season, he made 18 appearances, scoring six goals and providing one assist, quickly rediscovering his form and becoming an important figure in the squad.

That impact convinced Utrecht to pursue a permanent deal, while Haller himself pushed for the move, viewing the club as the best place to revive his career.

The decision also ends his time at Borussia Dortmund, where his stint was marked by both challenges and highlights, including his inspiring return to football following treatment for testicular cancer in 2022.

Now, with a permanent contract secured, Haller will aim to build on his momentum in the Eredivisie and provide Utrecht with the attacking presence they need to compete strongly in the coming season.

For the club, the signing is a statement of ambition, underlining their intent to keep hold of top-level experience in a league often dominated by younger talents.

Haller’s reunion with Utrecht offers both continuity and fresh opportunity, and with the striker himself describing it as the “ideal scenario,” the partnership is set to enter a new chapter, this time with permanence and long-term commitment at its core.