Sebastien Haller, a striker for Borussia Dortmund who joined the team this summer from Ajax following an outstanding 2021–22 season, was identified as having testicular cancer, the team revealed on Monday.
Due to illness, the striker left the BVB training camp in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, and returned to Dortmund for additional testing. After training on Monday morning, the 28-year-old Ivory Coast international reported feeling poorly, and “in the course of intensive medical examinations, a tumor was discovered in the testicles” the club stated in a statement.
“This news today came as a shock to Sebastien Haller and to all of us. The entire BVB family wishes Sebastien a full recovery as soon as possible and that we can hug him again soon. We will do everything in our power to ensure that he receives the best possible treatment,” BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl said.
Haller was acquired by Borussia Dortmund from Ajax this summer for almost €35 million, and he made his debut as a new BVB player at the start of July. Haller scored 21 goals and provided assists for seven more in the Eredivisie during his first full season with Ajax, but it was his Champions League heroics that garnered the most attention as he challenged for the golden boot with 11 goals in only eight games.