Huijsen Waited Patiently for His Dream Club

The story of Dean Huijsen is one of patience and ambition. At just 20 years old, the Spanish center-back caught the eye of Europe’s top clubs after an impressive season with Bournemouth, where he made 30 Premier League appearances and established himself as a regular starter.

According to his father and agent, Huijsen received formal offers from Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United, and Tottenham, among others. However, he politely declined each of them, choosing to wait for the call from the club he had always dreamed of joining: Real Madrid.

That opportunity arrived this summer when the Spanish giants activated his €60 million release clause. Huijsen was officially unveiled at the Santiago Bernabéu, making his childhood dream a reality.

Premier League Experience Prepared Him for Madrid

Huijsen’s year in the Premier League proved to be a crucial stepping stone. Over 2,800 minutes on the pitch, he scored three goals, provided two assists, and gained valuable experience facing top strikers like Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Isak. He also featured in three FA Cup matches, which accelerated his development.

His father explained that the spell in England was essential: “We saw a chance for Dean to face world-class forwards and gain valuable playing time in one of the toughest leagues. That experience would ultimately open the door to the club he always wanted.”

And it worked out. Thanks to his performances, Real Madrid made their move, beating out some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

A Key Addition to Madrid’s Backline

Since joining, Huijsen has quickly adapted to Xabi Alonso’s defensive system. His impact has been key in helping Real Madrid win six of their first seven LaLiga fixtures, bolstering a backline that has struggled with injuries in recent years.

He is expected to retain his starting spot in upcoming fixtures, including the Champions League clash against Kairat Almaty and the league match versus Villarreal, as Madrid aim to maintain their strong start to the season.