Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has finalized a significant transfer to Real Madrid for a reported fee of £50 million. The deal sees the 20-year-old depart the Vitality Stadium and return to Spain, where his youth career included a stint with Malaga.
Real Madrid’s acquisition of Huijsen is part of a long-term strategy to integrate promising young talent into their squad. The club and AFC Bournemouth have reached an agreement for the transfer, with the player set to be tied to Real Madrid for the next five seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030.
The Spanish giants moved swiftly to secure Huijsen’s services, aiming to include him in their squad for the upcoming Club World Cup. This acquisition comes amidst substantial interest from several other prominent English clubs. Newcastle, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal all reportedly expressed a strong desire to acquire the young talent.
🤔👀 ¿Cómo se pronuncia el nombre de nuestro nuevo jugador?#WelcomeHuijsen pic.twitter.com/EUCHNErk0c
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) May 17, 2025
Huijsen’s performances during his time with Bournemouth have marked him as a rising star. His contributions have been a key factor in the team’s impressive season, during which they surpassed their previous Premier League points record.
The player’s preference, however, was always a return to the Spanish capital. He prioritized the move to the Bernabeu and was keen to complete the agreement promptly. This allowed him to maintain his focus on his role in Bournemouth’s push for a potential European competition berth under manager Andoni Iraola.
Bournemouth initially secured the defender from Juventus last summer for £12.6m. His impact was substantial, evidenced by his 34 appearances across all competitions and three goals. As part of the original agreement, Juventus will receive 10 percent of the transfer fee.
🚨 Official: Real Madrid CF and AFC Bournemouth have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Dean Huijsen, who remains tied to Real Madrid for the next five seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030. pic.twitter.com/W659h5xTta
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) May 17, 2025
Huijsen’s rapid development has drawn widespread acclaim. His on-field intelligence and ability to anticipate plays have been particularly noteworthy. His skill in reading the game and executing interceptions has become a hallmark of his style.
The young Spaniard has also demonstrated exceptional defensive capabilities. His timing in crucial moments has been a key asset for his team. His statistics in this area are comparable to some of the league’s most respected defenders.
Real Madrid views Huijsen as a key addition to address their defensive needs, particularly following a series of challenging matches. Enthusiasm among Madrid’s fanbase is high, with many expressing their delight and anticipating his successful integration into the team. Huijsen is expected to join his new teammates soon, in preparation for the much-anticipated Club World Cup in the United States next month.