Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder yesterday confirmed that Sébastien Haller has returned to the training pitch, just three months after his testicular cancer diagnosis. As part of his rehabilitation, the 28-year-old is currently regaining fitness with his former club.
“He asked us if he could come and train because he was rehabilitating here,” said Schreuder. “Then it’s of course wonderful that he can be there for a while. He was able to train on a different pitch to help with his recovery.”
After joining Borussia Dortmund from Ajax on July 6 for a reported €35m, just days later the Bundesliga side confirmed on July 18 that Haller had left their Bad Ragaz training camp due to feeling unwell – following examinations, a testicular tumour was discovered before the French-Ivorian underwent successful surgery.
Haller attended the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris just over a week ago and commented on his state of health: “Everything is good. If I’m here today, it’s because everything is fine, my recovery is going as well as possible.”
Goalkeeper coach and former Ajax keeper Dennis Gentenaar, who played for BVB in 2005/06, commented: “When I was with VVV-Venlo in 2010, I had an operation on my knee and I was given the opportunity to train with Ajax for five months, I think it’s a good initiative by Ajax to support former players.”
Prior to joining Borussia Dortmund, Haller scored 47 and created 16 in 66 games across all competitions for Ajax and finished with 11 Champions League goals last season, behind Karim Benzema (15) and Robert Lewandowski (13).
GGFN | Ben McFadyean and Daniel Pinder
