Sebastien Haller’s sensational return to football has continued as the forward scored a first competitive goal for Borussia Dortmund on World Cancer Day.
Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the summer just weeks after joining from Ajax and only made his debut for the club in January after he made a full recovery.
Haller scored his first competitive goal for Dortmund since joining from Ajax[/caption]
Ivory Coast forward Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer weeks after his arrival[/caption]
Haller underwent two surgeries and four cycles of chemotherapy and only returned to training last month, where he made his debut for the club in a 4-3 win over Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
And he has now got on the score sheet for the first time after heading home Dortmund’s third in their 5-1 win over Freiburg on Saturday in the 51st minute.
The 28-year-old, who scored a hat-trick in a friendly clash against Basel in January, got on the end of Raphael Guerreiro’s cross to spark pandemonium at Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund’s Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl lauded the ex-West Ham striker after the match, which saw BVB go third in the Bundesliga table.
He said: “We’re all happy for Sebastian. He’s been working towards this day for a long time.
“It’s a big weight off his shoulders, we’re all excited and overjoyed.”
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Haller headed home Dortmund’s third in their 5-1 win against Freiburg on Saturday[/caption]
Haller started the game against Freiburg, but was substituted at the hour mark for teenage starlet Youssoufa Moukoko.
His goal incidentally came on World Cancer Day, and Dortmund included a lump on the centre circle to mark the day to raise awareness of testicular cancer.
Since his return, Haller has been wearing specially designed boots with a slogan expressing his anger at the disease as it reads ‘F*** cancer.’
Speaking after the match, Haller declared he wants his return to football to serve as a source of inspiration.
Former West Ham striker Haller was mobbed by his teammates after his goal[/caption]
He remarked: “To score today was also a great message to everyone who is fighting today or who will fight later.
“It gives some hope, some courage. That’s it you know. The days after will always be better.”