This is a major turning point in his career. At 32, Sébastien Haller is preparing to leave European football for good and head to Japan. The Ivorian striker, who is coming off a difficult period marked by his exclusion from the 2026 World Cup squad, has chosen the other side of the world to revive his career.

A one-year stint (plus an optional second year) in Japan

According to insider Rudy Galetti, the former Ivory Coast international is on the verge of signing with Sanfrecce Hiroshima . Having reached the end of his contract with FC Utrecht, the striker arrives in the J.League on a free transfer. He is expected to sign a one-year contract with an option for a second year.

For the Japanese club—accustomed to the top of the table after narrowly missing out on a podium finish in 2025 (4th) and finishing in the top 5 in 2026 (5th)—signing a player of his caliber is a huge coup. The Japanese management is counting on his extensive European experience to help the team take the next step and reach the top of the league.

Rebuilding after the trials and disappointments of the World Cup

This move to Asia sounds like a need for renewal for a player whose career path has been profoundly disrupted in recent years:

1. The medical setback: In 2022, at the peak of his career, Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer. While his courageous return to the pitch moved the football world, he subsequently struggled to regain the statistical consistency that had made him a nightmare for defenses while playing for Ajax Amsterdam and Borussia Dortmund.
2. The hero of AFCON 2023: Despite his difficulties at club level, he remained the key architect of Ivory Coast's historic victory at home during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
3. Left out of the national team: His lackluster last season led the Elephants' coach, Emerse Faé, to leave him out of the 2026 World Cup squad.

The challenge of maturity: Left out of the national team plans and in search of playing time, Sébastien Haller sees the J.League as the perfect opportunity to rediscover the joy of playing and prove that he still has a knack for scoring goals, far from the European media pressure.