Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Spanish international Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth after triggering the defender’s £50 million release clause, the club announced on Saturday.
The 20-year-old centre-back, who made a strong impression during his debut Premier League season, joins Los Blancos on a five-year deal that will keep him at the Santiago Bernabéu until June 2030.
“Real Madrid and Bournemouth have reached a deal for the transfer of player Dean Huijsen, who will be at our club for the next five seasons, from June 1, 2025, until June 30, 2030,” the Spanish giants said in a statement.
Bournemouth confirmed Madrid’s move, noting that Huijsen’s release clause had been activated. Reports suggest that his former clubs, Juventus and Malaga, stand to benefit financially from the deal due to sell-on clauses included in his previous transfers.
Born in the Netherlands but raised in Spain from the age of five, Huijsen developed through Malaga’s youth ranks before moving to Juventus. He joined Bournemouth from the Italian side in 2024 for £12.8 million and quickly became one of the standout young defenders in the English top flight.
Madrid’s interest was sparked amid competition from several Premier League clubs, but the Spanish powerhouse acted swiftly to secure his signature. Huijsen is expected to feature in Madrid’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer, with their opening match scheduled against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on June 18 in Miami.
The defender made his senior debut for Spain earlier this year, notably featuring in a Nations League victory over his birth nation, the Netherlands, helping La Roja book a place in the semi-finals.
Following a disappointing season in which Madrid failed to win a major trophy and lost 14 matches across competitions, Huijsen’s arrival is seen as part of a wider overhaul. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is set to depart to take over the Brazil national team, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso widely expected to replace him.
Huijsen is likely to be one of several new faces at the Bernabéu this summer, with England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold also rumoured to be joining the club on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool.
