Sébastien Haller kicks off his season in Japan

Sébastien Haller is off to a flying start in his Japanese adventure. The Ivorian international opened his account with Sanfrecce Hiroshima this Tuesday in a friendly match.

The 32-year-old Ivorian striker, officially unveiled on July 24, made his debut in his new colors during a friendly against Verspah Oita. Coming off the bench, he found the net from the penalty spot as his team cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory.

A new chapter in Japan

Having joined the club at the start of July, Haller is set to discover the J League. For Sanfrecce Hiroshima, it’s a major boost of experience; for the Ivorian, it’s the perfect chance to get back up to speed away from the European spotlight. After stints with Ajax, Dortmund, Frankfurt, and West Ham, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champion with the Elephants is eager to put his experience to work for the Japanese club.

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Promising first steps

Even though it was just a friendly, this penalty goal shows Haller is already finding his feet. Now, he’s looking to build momentum and be match-ready for the league opener. With his physical presence and clinical finishing, Sanfrecce have secured a major asset for the rest of the season.

Nafongo TRAORE |

News Editorfr, ar, en

Nafongon Moussa TRAORE, Burkinabè de 25 ans, est passionné de football, est rédacteur pour Foot Africa et commentateur pour BurkiFoot.

Related teams and leagues

Sanfrecce Hiroshima

J. League Japan