Although the 2025/26 season is still in its early stages, there are strong indications that Real Madrid have acquired one of the premier center backs on the global stage in Dean Huijsen.
Twelve months ago, Huijsen was an unheralded young defender deemed surplus to requirements at Juventus following a two-month stint on the sidelines during his Roma loan. Now, he’s an indispensable player for both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.
Hailing from Amsterdam, Huijsen relocated to Spain at the tender
age of five, where he spent his formative years. In 2021, he embarked on a new chapter in Italy, joining Juventus’s youth academy. Although he dedicated three years to honing his skills in Turin, he was unable to secure a spot on the senior team. Subsequently, he transferred to Bournemouth in England, who acquired him for an initial sum of €15.2 million.
Although Huijsen made a strong first impression in the Premier League, securing nine aerial victories in a 1-1 tie against Nottingham Forest, he remained on the sidelines for several months. It wasn’t until Marcos Senesi sustained a quadriceps injury on November 30th, sidelining him for four months, that Huijsen received his opportunity. By the time Senesi returned, Huijsen had solidified his place as a key player in Bournemouth’s defense alongside Ilya Zabarnyi, leaving Senesi to accept a substitute role for the remainder of the season.
“I think [Huijsen] has a bright future,” stated Senesi in an exclusive RG interview. “He’s a good player, a good guy, so I hope and I wish he does a good job over there and stays at Real Madrid for many years.”
These performances drew the attention of the Spanish national team, who convinced him to switch over from the Netherlands and represent La Roja at the senior level, with Huijsen playing against the Netherlands, France and Portugal in the UEFA Nations League. Huijsen attracted the interest of Real Madrid, who decided to trigger his £50 million release clause and sign him one week before the end of the Premier League season, acquiring him in time for the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 20-year-old immediately impressed under new manager Xabi Alonso, excelling in a back four and a back three and starting in every single game until the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal vs. Paris Saint-Germain — a game he missed due to suspension and a game in which Real Madrid missed him dearly.
Since then, however, Huijsen has continued to assert himself in the team, delivering a Man of the Match display in a 1-0 win vs. Osasuna, showcasing his quality both on and off the ball, before excelling in a 3-0 win against Real Oviedo. Whilst Vinicius Junior and Trent Alexander-Arnold dropped to the bench, Huijsen remained in the defense and justified his start by winning four out of six ground duels and making six clearances against the newly promoted side.
From Fernando Hierro to Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid have had their fair share of legendary Spanish center backs, and the next player to join the ranks that could reach those legendary heights could very well be Huijsen.
