Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller completes surprise loan move to Spanish club

Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller has completed a shock loan move to Spanish La Liga side CD Leganes on transfer deadline day.

In a rather surprising turn of events, Sebastien Haller has left Borussia Dortmund on a loan deal until the end of the season. The Côte d'Ivoire international joins CD Leganes, who play in the Spanish La Liga.

Sebastien Haller leaves Borussia Dortmund on loan

Haller was earlier set to stay at Borussia Dortmund until at least January, but has now decided to join Leganes on a season-long loan deal in search of more playing time. The 30 year old will hope to play regularly in Spain after being reduced to a bit-part role at Borussia Dortmund over the last 12 months.

Borussia Dortmund earlier wanted to sell Haller after completing the signings of Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier. But with no offers forthcoming, it was expected that the striker would stay on at least till the January transfer window.

BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl said that they wish Haller every success in La Liga. "The story that connects us with Sebastien was a special one, is a special one and will always remain a special one," Kehl said. "Now it's important for Sebastien to play regularly again and to feel the joy of celebrating goals as often as possible. He really wants to make the most of the opportunity he now has in La Liga - and we wish him every success."

Sebastien Haller joined Borussia Dortmund from AFC Ajax in 2022 as the club's replacement for Erling Haaland. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer soon after his move to BVB. But he recovered and returned to the pitch six months later, and came ever so close to leading Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga title during the 2022/23 season.

Haller leaves Borussia Dortmund on loan having scored 12 goals in 41 appearances for the club. It remains to be seen if Leganes will have a buy option for Haller at the end of the loan spell. His current contract with BVB still has two years left to run.