Sébastien Haller has signed a one-year contract with Japanese J1 League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the club announced on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international joins as a free agent after his second stint at FC Utrecht ended this summer.
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Move to Japan
According to transfer journalist Rudy Galetti, the deal includes an option to extend for an additional season.
Haller will travel approximately 14,000 kilometers for his new footballing adventure.
While his exact salary is undisclosed, reports suggest he will receive a substantial signing bonus due to his free-agent status.
This marks the first time Haller has played professionally outside Europe. He previously featured in top leagues in France, the Netherlands, Germany, England, and Spain.
Struggles at Utrecht
Haller rejoined Utrecht on loan from Borussia Dortmund in January 2025, but the club declined to extend his stay.
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His return to the Galgenwaard did not go as planned.
He struggled to secure a regular starting spot, which ultimately cost him a place in Ivory Coast's World Cup squad.
Last season, Haller made 33 official appearances for Utrecht but scored only one goal.
In total, his second spell at the club yielded seven goals and five assists in 51 matches.
Haller enjoyed his most prolific period in the Netherlands at Ajax, where he won two league titles, the KNVB Cup, and impressed in the Champions League.
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He has 169 Eredivisie appearances overall.
