May 17, (THEWILL) – Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen on a five-year contract that will keep him at the Spanish giants until 2030. The 20-year-old center-back, who joined Bournemouth in the summer of 2024 for £12.6 million from Juventus, has attracted attention from numerous top European clubs following his impressive performances in the English Premier League this season.
The Spanish champions have activated the £50 million release clause in the player’s contract and plan to structure the payment across three installments. This move comes amid a defensive crisis at Madrid, with the club currently dealing with serious injuries to key defenders including Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger.
Madrid have acted swiftly to finalise the deal ahead of several EPL competitors, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Newcastle United, all of whom had shown interest in the young defender. The club intends to have Huijsen available for the upcoming Club World Cup tournament, which begins next month with Madrid facing Al Hilal on June 18.
Huijsen, born in Amsterdam, represented the Netherlands at youth level before switching his international allegiance to Spain, for whom he has made two appearances. Despite making only one senior appearance for Juventus before his move to England, the defender has adapted quickly to EPL football, drawing praise for his exceptional passing ability and defensive skills.
The transfer is a significant profit for Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola’s side, who will receive more than four times what they paid for the player less than a year ago. Madrid’s acquisition forms part of their strategy to bolster their defensive options while investing in young talent with long-term potential.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
