Real Madrid land rising star Dean Huijsen in £50m deal from Bournemouth
The Dutch-born, Spain international has agreed to a five-year contract and will officially join the Spanish club on 1 June 2025.
Real Madrid have secured the signing of 20-year-old defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth by activating his £50 million (Sh8.6 billion) release clause.
The Dutch-born, Spain international has agreed to a five-year contract and will officially join the Spanish club on 1 June 2025, making him eligible for the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States.
Huijsen, who joined Bournemouth from Juventus in 2024 for £12.6 million (Sh2.7 billion), made 34 appearances and scored three goals in his debut Premier League season.
His impressive performances attracted interest from several top clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle.
However, Huijsen chose to return to Spain, where he was raised and developed through the youth systems of Costa Unida CF and Málaga.
The transfer fee will be paid in three instalments, with Juventus and Málaga set to receive 10% and 5% of the fee, respectively.
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, who is expected to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, played a significant role in prioritizing Huijsen's acquisition to strengthen the team's central defense.
Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente, who handed Huijsen his international debut in March 2025, expressed confidence in the defender's readiness for the move to the Bernabéu, stating, "I see him - if nothing gets in the way - as capable of playing for any team."
This transfer marks Real Madrid's second Premier League signing of the summer, following the acquisition of Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold.
