Dean Huijsen – Profile, Career Facts and Transfer History

In May 2025, Real Madrid activated a €59.5 million release clause to bring a 20-year-old centre-back from AFC Bournemouth to the Santiago Bernabéu. Dean Huijsen, who had been playing in the Premier League only a year earlier, became the latest young defender to join the Spanish giants. His rapid rise from the Juventus youth system to one of the world’s most demanding clubs has made him a player to watch in European football.

Born in Amsterdam to a former Dutch professional footballer, Huijsen moved to Spain as a child and later chose to represent Spain at international level. Standing nearly two metres tall, he combines physical dominance with a modern passing game. His career path already includes Serie A, Premier League, and La Liga experience before his 21st birthday.

Who is Dean Huijsen?

Dean Huijsen is a rising star in world football whose career has accelerated quickly. He was born in Amsterdam but his family relocated to Marbella, Spain when he was five years old. That move shaped his identity: he grew up speaking Dutch, Spanish, Italian, and English, and he chose to represent Spain internationally after obtaining citizenship in February 2024. His father, Donny Huijsen, played for Jong Ajax and other Dutch clubs, which likely influenced his early exposure to professional football.

Key insights about Dean Huijsen

• Huijsen is one of the tallest centre-backs in top-tier European football, standing at 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in).
• He is ambidextrous, comfortable with both feet, which gives him flexibility in passing and defending.
• His Premier League aerial duel success rate of 59.3% ranks among the highest for defenders his age.
• He made his senior Spain debut in March 2025 after representing the Netherlands at youth level and Spain at U21.
• His transfer from Bournemouth to Real Madrid in May 2025 was triggered by a release clause of €59.5 million, rejecting interest from Liverpool.
• He wears the number 24 shirt at Real Madrid, previously worn by other young talents.
• Huijsen cites Sergio Ramos as his idol, admiring his leadership and completeness as a defender.

Snapshot facts: Dean Huijsen

What position does Dean Huijsen play and what is his jersey number?

Dean Huijsen is primarily a centre-back. He has played exclusively as a central defender throughout his senior career at Juventus, Roma, Bournemouth, and Real Madrid. His height and physicality make him an aerial threat in both boxes, but his passing accuracy (84.3% in the Premier League) also allows him to start attacks from the back. He is comfortable on either foot, which helps him play on the left or right side of a central defensive pairing.

Jersey number history

At Real Madrid, Huijsen wears the number 24 shirt. During his loan spell at Roma and his time at Bournemouth, he wore number 28. The number 24 at Madrid has been associated with young defensive players in recent years, and Huijsen was officially presented with that number on 9 June 2025 when he joined the club.

Did Dean Huijsen transfer to Roma?

Yes, Huijsen spent the second half of the 2023–24 season on loan at AS Roma. The move was reportedly suggested by then-manager Jose Mourinho. He made 14 appearances for Roma under Daniele De Rossi, scoring two goals. That loan ended in June 2024, and he returned to Juventus before being sold to Bournemouth. There have been no further transfers to Roma; he is now a permanent Real Madrid player.

How tall is Dean Huijsen and how old is he?

Dean Huijsen is 1.96–1.97 m tall, depending on the source. Real Madrid’s official website lists him at 1.96 m, while Transfermarkt records 1.97 m. That equates to approximately 6 feet 5 inches. He weighs 86 kg, which gives him a strong but mobile frame for a centre-back.

Age and birth date

Born on 14 April 2005, Huijsen turned 20 in April 2025 and is currently 21 years old as of mid-2026. His age is notable because he has already accumulated significant first-team experience across three top European leagues before turning 21.

Is Dean Huijsen injured?

Based on available sources, Dean Huijsen has no major recorded injuries. He played 14 consecutive games for Roma in 2024 without interruption and completed a full season for Bournemouth in 2024–25 with consistent appearances. Real Madrid’s official website and news outlets do not report any long-term fitness issues.

What is Dean Huijsen’s career timeline?

1. 2005 – Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
2. 2010–2015 – Youth career at Costa Unida CF in Spain.
3. 2015–2021 – Academy training at Málaga CF.
4. 2021 – Joins Juventus U17 at age 16.
5. 2022–2023 – Plays for Juventus Next Gen; makes Serie A debut in October 2023 (14 appearances, 2 goals).
6. January–June 2024 – Loan to AS Roma (14 games, 2 goals) under Daniele De Rossi.
7. July 2024 – Transfers to AFC Bournemouth for €15.2 million (up to €18.2 million).
8. 2024–2025 season – Scores 3 Premier League goals with 59.3% aerial duel success rate.
9. May 2025 – Real Madrid activates €59.5 million release clause; Huijsen signs contract until 2030.
10. 9 June 2025 – Officially presented as Real Madrid player, receives number 24 shirt.

What is known and what remains unclear about Dean Huijsen?

Why does Dean Huijsen’s transfer to Real Madrid matter?

Huijsen’s move to Real Madrid is part of a broader trend in European football: elite clubs investing heavily in young centre-backs with dual attributes of physicality and ball-playing ability. At 20, he has already experienced three major leagues and performed consistently. His arrival at Madrid, alongside other young defenders, signals a strategic shift towards developing homegrown talent rather than relying solely on established stars. The €59.5 million release clause reflects both his current value and his perceived potential. If he stays fit and develops under the coaching staff at Madrid, he could become a mainstay of the Spain national team for the next decade.

Where can you find verified information about Dean Huijsen?

Several reputable sources provide data on Dean Huijsen. The following are the most reliable for biography, statistics, and transfer history:

• Dean Huijsen on Wikipedia – General biography and career overview.
• Dean Huijsen Transfermarkt profile – Market value, transfer history, and appearance data.
• Dean Huijsen ESPN stats – Physical attributes and match statistics.
• Dean Huijsen Premier League profile – Official league statistics from his time at Bournemouth.
• Dean Huijsen The Analyst data – Advanced performance metrics and percentiles.
• CBS Sports article – Detailed transfer news and background.
• Real Madrid official player page – Official club information and stats.

No direct quotes from Huijsen or his family are available in these open sources. The information presented here is compiled from the above references.

What is the big picture for Dean Huijsen?

Dean Huijsen has already achieved what many young defenders only dream of: a starting role at Real Madrid. His combination of height, technical ability, and experience across leagues positions him well for a top-level career. The main unknown is how quickly he can become a regular starter at Madrid and how his body holds up under the demands of La Liga and the Champions League. His injury record so far is clean, which is encouraging. For fans following his progress, additional context can be found in profiles of other young stars like Lamine Yamal – Age, Height, Parents, Injury & Net Worth (2025) and Myles Lewis-Skelly – Age, Position, Stats & Career Facts.

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