Sebastien Haller makes return to football in Borussia Dortmund friendly
By Sean Walsh
Sebastien Haller's stepped up his footballing comeback on Tuesday after coming off the bench in Borussia Dortmund's 5-1 friendly win against Fortuna Dusseldorf.
The Ivorian arrived in Germany in July 2022 following a stellar couple of seasons at Ajax. But shortly after signing for BVB, doctors discovered a testicular tumour and he was sidelined indefinitely to undergo treatment.
Haller's rigorous routine sometimes left him unable to get out of bed, but he was finally able to make his return to Dortmund training last week and has now featured in a friendly against Fortuna Dusseldorf.
The 28-year-old replaced teenage sensation Youssoufa Moukoko for the final 15 minutes of the match in Marbella, clapped onto the pitch by the few hundred spectators in attendance at the Ciudad Deportiva La Dama de Noche.
Dortmund's preparations for the second half of the season continue with a friendly against Basel on Friday.
Haller could make his competitive debut for BVB on 22 January when Augsburg visit Signal-Iduna Park. Looking further ahead, Dortmund welcome Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on 15 February.
The striker has a prolific record in two previous seasons in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 33 goals in 77 games for Die Adler.