After the troubles he’s been through – that ill-fated Premier League spell with West Ham United, his Borussia Dortmund struggles and that cancer diagnosis – few would begrudge Sebastien Haller this.
A transfer which was months in the making, a move driven by the heart, and one in which the Ivory Coast international was willing to give up over £4 million to turn into reality.
For a while at least, it looked as if the destination Sebastien Haller wanted above all others had closed its doors to him.
Haller ‘regained his old shine’ back in the Netherlands last season, to quote RTV Utrecht.
Nearly a decade after the West Ham United’s one-time record signing was handed his big break in the Bundesliga by Eintracht Frankfurt, a 31-year-old Haller returned to the club where his career really took off.
But with his contract at parent club Borussia Dortmund running until 2026, and with eye-watering wages of £115,000-a-week, a permanent stay at FC Utrecht was supposedly impossible.
Though when you have the will, there is often a way.
Sebastien Haller during FC Augsburg v Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga
Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images
Former West Ham United striker Sebastien Haller seals dream FC Utrecht return
Now, that ‘way’ involved Sebastien Haller sacrificing the sort of money most folk cannot even dream of making in an entire lifetime.
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In the knowledge that Utrecht would not be able to pay the transfer fee Dortmund wanted, Haller took it upon himself to negotiate the termination of his contract at the 2024 Champions League finalists.
Per Algemeen Dagblad, Haller was due a near-£8 million pay-out. Instead, in order to fast-track negotiations, he agreed to give up just over half of that before putting pen to paper on a contract which – while making him Utrecht’s highest earner – sees the well-travelled frontman take a pretty substantial wage reduction.
“I thought it would be impossible!” a relieved Haller tells ESPN and De Telegraaf. “All parties had to work together. FC Utrecht and Borussia Dortmund worked well together to make it possible.
“I can imagine this doesn’t happen often, but I made a choice that suits me best. A lot of people can tell me I should do this or that, but they don’t know how I feel inside.
“I really wanted to make a choice that would give me peace of mind and put me in a comfortable environment.
“And besides, I only wanted to sign for one year. Now, I have the freedom to reassess the situation next year. I also wanted freedom of choice. I like the idea of being able to make my own decision next year.”
It should come as no surprise that Haller has chosen personal comfort ahead of growing his bank balance.
He was diagnosed with cancer shortly after enjoying the best season of his career at Ajax, a 34-goal campaign convincing Borussia Dortmund to make him their new number nine.
Haller turned down more money when leaving Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund
By the time he was back to full sharpness, Dortmund had brought in – ironically enough – a certain Niclas Fullkrug. One of Haller’s successors at West Ham United.
It became clear that Haller was no longer part of Dortmund’s long-term plans. But while marking a temporary return to Utrecht with six goals in 18 matches – including one in a 4-0 battering of Ajax during which the wheels fell off the runaway-leaders-turned-title-bottlers – a man who has endured his fair share of heartache and desolation found his joy for the beautiful game once again.
“I’ve never been away, it was just a really long vacation,” Haller laughs, now back full-time at an Utrecht outfit for whom he scored 51 goals between 2014 and 2017.
“For me, this was the best option for this year. Nothing has changed here. The people, the atmosphere, the memories and the place make it the best for me to stay here, in safe hands. [I want to] just play football, that’s it.
“For Dortmund, Utrecht wasn’t initially the best option, because it was better for them to get an offer from a club offering much more money. That’s why it took time.
“There was a lot of interest from all over the world. But FC Utrecht was the best option for me, and for my family as well. This is a place they know. Besides, it’s great to play European football with this club.
“This was the ideal option but, in football and life, it’s not just about the ideal. You also have to be ready to consider other options. I’m glad it worked out.”
Haller made the first appearance of his third spell with Utrecht during Thursday’s 2-0 victory away to Zrinjski Mostar. Ron Jans’ side are now one giant step closer to securing UEFA Europa League qualification.
“Of course, I had options with more money. But life is about balance. If you need money today, you have to go for it. If you need playing time, you have to go for it. Maybe I just need some peace of mind, not too far from France and Paris.
“This feels like a new beginning for me, with much more freedom on the pitch, in my mind.”