Football
Real Madrid Sign Bournemouth Defender Dean Huijsen; Will Play Him at Club World Cup
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished18 May 2025
Real Madrid have activated a £50m release clause to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, beating multiple Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, to the punch.
Los Blancos, who have endured a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, will deploy the Spaniard at the FIFA Club World Cup in June.
Real Madrid Activate £50m Dean Huijsen Release Clause
Liverpool transfer target Dean Huijsen will Real Madrid, with the club officially confirming the move on Friday.
Bournemouth announced the transfer in a statement, writing:
“The centre-back, who ed the Cherries from Juventus last summer, has been instrumental in the club’s record-breaking campaign, which has seen Andoni Iraola’s side already break their highest points tally in the Premier League.
“Everyone at AFC Bournemouth is looking forward to working with Dean for the remaining two games of the Premier League season, before he embarks on the next step of his career.”
Dean Huijsen 🌟#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/oD99a0SSua
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) May 17, 2025
Real Madrid’s official press release read:
“Real Madrid C.F. and AFC Bournemouth have reached an agreement for the transfer of Dean Huijsen, who will remain at our club for the next five seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030.
“At 20-years-old, Dean Huijsen is already a Spanish international and has played in Italy’s Serie A with Juventus and Roma, and in the Premier League with Bournemouth. Dean Huijsen has been nominated for the 2024-2025 Premier League Young Player of the Year award.”
The Reds, along with several other Premier League sides, were reportedly interested in g the 20-year-old off the back of a breakthrough campaign on the south coast, but the Spain international opted to Los Blancos.
Dean Huijsen — The Latest Addition to Los Blancos’ Arsenal
It is understood that Xabi Alonso, who is set to take over as Real Madrid manager from Carlo Ancelotti in the summer, has been instrumental in making the move happen as he is said to have prioritised g a young centre-back.
Huijsen ed the Cherries for an initial €15.2 million fee from Serie A giants Juventus last summer, and has made a total of 30 Premier League appearances this term, netting three goals and providing one assist.
The Amsterdam-born defender has largely played alongside Ilia Zabarnyi under Andoni Iraola and has impressed the masses as his side chase European qualification for the first time in their 126-year history.
His performances at club level have also earned him international recognition, as he became a full-fledged Spain international in March. He featured twice for Luis De La Fuente’s side in the Nations League quarter-finals as they defeated his country of birth, the Netherlands, over two legs to advance to the semi-finals.
Huijsen is set to become Real Madrid’s second g of the summer, with out-of-contract Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold also set to the 15-time Champions League winners ahead of next season.