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Haller, who scored 34 goals for Dutch champions Ajax Amsterdam
last season, was diagnosed during a pre-season training camp in
July - weeks after he had been signed for an initial fee of 31
million euros ($33.25 million).
The 28-year-old returned to training earlier this month and
finally made his unofficial debut as he came on in the second
half of Tuesday's friendly with Fortuna Dusseldorf, which
Dortmund won 5-1.
"It was a great moment on the pitch. I got a lot of applause and
a lot of messages, I spoke to my team mates and the opponent.
This support contributes to performance," Haller said.
"I wanted to be there from the first game. We talked about what
is the best solution to get some minutes. After six months, I
finally wore a Dortmund jersey for the first time.
"I was really looking forward to playing because I couldn't do
it straight away after my move. Playing is a much better feeling
than exercising and running through the woods, I missed that
feeling."
Dortmund coach Edin Terzic said the team were proud of Haller's
comeback.
"It was a very special moment for Seb and his family, but also
for us. It was the first time that he wasn't wearing a training
shirt but the Borussia Dortmund jersey," Terzic said.
The Bundesliga season resumes later this month, with Dortmund
taking on Augsburg on Jan. 22.
Dortmund are sixth in the standings - nine points behind leaders
Bayern Munich - and team mate Gio Reyna said he hoped Haller's
comeback can spur them on.
"We are happy that he's back. He's such a good guy, he works
hard," the American winger said.
"You can see his quality immediately on the pitch. He gives our
game something new."
($1 = 0.9322 euros)
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher
Cushing)
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