He was revealed on Tuesday as Real Madrid's new acquisition. The transfer news had already been revealed over the weekend while playing for Spain in the UEFA Nations League. The 20-year-old central defender is joining from Bournemouth for €59.3 million and has negotiated for June 30, 2030.
During the ceremony, the player explained why today is important for him. "Real Madrid is my club of origin. Now that they rang for me, I had nothing more for anybody besides that. This is the day of my greatest bliss."
The club is making a risk with one of the defenders who did well last season in the English league. He featured in 36 matches with Bournemouth and received his first nod for the 2024/2025 Premier League Young Player of the Year award. The statistics impressed other clubs, but Real Madrid outpaced the rivals into action with the transfer happening before things escalate.
Choosing Spain and the path so far
Huijsen is Amsterdam-born but spent his early age educated in Málaga, Spain. Naturalisation in Spain came as a result of experience, together with integration into the national team project. He had played for youth of the Netherlands but opted for playing for Spain professionally.
He debuted for Spain in the quarterfinals of the Nations League against the Netherlands. The game was his first official with La Roja. During his national team spell, his transfer agreement with Real Madrid had already been finalized. The official presentation had only happened after his return.
Florentino Pérez fosters young talent
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez warmly welcomed the new recruit with his welcome message. "We look for youth talents with whom we will be able to extend the legacy of Real Madrid further. The madridistas welcome one of those youth talents who has dominated the world. Welcome, Dean Huijsen."
His is another vote of support for the policy of the past few years for the club. Real Madrid continues to bring in youngsters with upside, youngsters who have had experience playing pro soccer already. Huijsen is one of those kind of guys. Young as his age is, he has played in one of the world's most demanding leagues and is coming with experience that continues to grow.
Huijsen's arrival is also coincidental with Real Madrid's defense's transitional period. The last few years have seen the defense experience severe injuries, with Alaba and Éder Militão being among the major names affected. The rest of the players have been forced into playing new positions in an effort to seal loopholes in the defense framework. The club has been tracking the market for someone with upside, someone who had already proven his product in adverse conditions. The defender playing his trade in England fit all of those parameters and was the front office's top target