Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has said it is an ‘honour’ to be linked with a potential move to Real Madrid.
Huijsen is attracting interest from top clubs across Europe after a standout debut season in the Premier League. The 19-year-old signed for Bournemouth from Juventus last summer and has been a key part of the club’s challenge for European football.
Huijsen ranks among the top three percent of Premier League centre-backs for clearances, interceptions and key passes per 90 minutes this season.
Born in the Netherlands. Moved to Spain aged 5.
Aged 16, transferred from Malaga to Juventus.
Transferred to AFC Bournemouth this summer, earning all the plaudits in his 1st Premier League season.
Called up to the Spain senior squad aged 19 👏Dean Huijsen is a prospect 🌟 pic.twitter.com/Cuh1Js95RU
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 18, 2025
His displays have been recognised this month with a maiden call-up to the Spanish national side. The Dutch-born defender could make his debut for the European champions in their upcoming UEFA Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands.
Real Madrid are one of the clubs reportedly tracking his progress and there’s a release clause of ÂŁ50m in his Bournemouth contract that will become active in the summer.
Discussing his future with Revelo, Huijsen admitted it is an ‘honour’ to see his name linked with a move to the Bernabeu. He also cited Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos as a role model and called the Spaniard ‘the best centre-back in history’.
“It’s an honour when you hear about Real Madrid interest, I’m proud to have such a big club interested in me,” he told Revelo.
“It’s special for sure. My idol is Sergio Ramos, he’s a reference. For me, he’s the best centre-back in history. He has everything, he’s a legend.”
Huijsen also opened up on his progress and believes he has benefitted from time in Spain, Italy and England.
“I went to Juventus at 16 and went through the youth system until I reached the first team,” he said.
“Last season I went on loan to Roma, where I played for half a year until they bought me in England.
“The reason I went to Italy was to improve defensively, I wanted to be more complete. In Spain I improved my ball control and in England the intensity of the game. The high pace and the one-on-one game made me learn a lot..
“I have had good coaches, Iraola had a big impact on me. Before him I was with Mourinho, De Rossi, Allegri…. I can only be grateful to them because they gave me opportunities. I learned something from all of them.”
“Mourinho called me to convince me to join Roma and it was an experience. I learned a lot on a defensive level even though I spent little time with him. I would have liked to spend more time with him.
“I also got along very well with De Rossi, who was like a second father to me. In Italy the defensive aspect is fundamental, he also helped me off the pitch, he worried about how I was and things like that.”
