Real Madrid sign Spain Midfielder Huijsen from Bournemouth in £50m Deal

Real Madrid have finalised the signing of Spanish international Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth after triggering the defender’s £50 million release clause.

The 20-year-old centre-back, who impressed during his debut Premier League season after joining the Cherries from Juventus in 2024 for £12.8 million, has agreed to a five-year contract with the Spanish giants.

In an official statement released on Saturday, Real Madrid announced:
“Real Madrid and Bournemouth have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Dean Huijsen, who will join our club for the next five seasons, from 1 June 2025 until 30 June 2030.”

Bournemouth also confirmed the transfer, acknowledging Madrid’s decision to activate the release clause. Reports indicate that both Juventus and Málaga, where Huijsen spent part of his youth career after moving to Spain from the Netherlands at the age of five, stand to receive a share of the transfer fee.

Huijsen is expected to join Real Madrid’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer. Their opening fixture will be against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on 18 June in Miami.

The highly-regarded defender, who made his international debut for Spain in March against his country of birth, was also a target for several Premier League clubs before Madrid secured his signature.

The acquisition of Huijsen comes as Real Madrid aim to bolster their defence following a challenging season that saw them struggle in major competitions, suffering 14 defeats across all fronts.

With manager Carlo Ancelotti set to depart for the Brazil national team, Xabi Alonso, a former Real Madrid midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen manager, is widely tipped to take charge, marking what promises to be a transformative summer at the Bernabéu.

Huijsen is also expected to be joined by England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is reportedly set to complete a free transfer to Madrid upon the expiration of his Liverpool contract.