Spanish international Dean Huijsen is a 21-year-old centre-back who plays for Real Madrid. Standing at nearly two meters tall, he combines modern ball-playing ability with physical dominance. His career has progressed rapidly from the Netherlands through Italy and England to one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Who Is Dean Huijsen? Age, Height, and Nationality
- Full Name: Dean Huijsen
- Age: 21 (born 14 April 2005)
- Height: 1.97 m (6 ft 5 in)
- Position: Centre-back
- Current Club: Real Madrid (La Liga)
- National Team: Spain
- Jersey Number: #24 (Real Madrid)
- Market Value (2025): €30M (approx.)
Dean Huijsen is a 21-year-old Spanish professional footballer born on April 14, 2005, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He plays as a centre-back for Real Madrid and the Spain national team. His official full name is Dean Donny Huijsen.
Official sources from Real Madrid list his height at 1.96 m, while other outlets go as high as 1.97 m or 6 ft 6 in. His weight is recorded as 86 kg. He became a Spanish citizen in February 2024 and chose to represent Spain internationally.
Key Insights
- Dean Huijsen is a 21-year-old Spanish centre-back known for his exceptional height and ball-playing ability.
- Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch father and Spanish mother, he chose to represent Spain internationally.
- After a successful loan at Bournemouth, Huijsen completed a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid in 2025.
- His playing style combines aerial dominance, composure in possession, and tactical reading of the game.
Snapshot Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 14 April 2005 |
| Age | 21 |
| Height | 1.97 m (6 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | 87 kg |
| Nationality | Spain (born in Netherlands) |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Current Club | Real Madrid (La Liga) |
| Jersey Number | #24 |
| Previous Club | Bournemouth (loan), Juventus |
| International Debut | Spain senior team, 2025 |
Dean Huijsen’s Family Background: Parents and Religion
Huijsen was born in Amsterdam to Dutch parents. His father, Donny Huijsen, was a retired footballer who played for Jong Ajax. His mother is named Macha Wijsmuller. After moving to Marbella, Spain, at age five, he was raised in a Spanish environment.
His father’s playing background gave him early exposure to professional football. Huijsen has stated that his idol growing up was Sergio Ramos, the legendary Real Madrid and Spain captain. He speaks Dutch, Spanish, Italian, and English fluently.
Dean Huijsen’s religion is not publicly confirmed. No official source, interview, or biographical sketch provides a clear answer on his religious beliefs or affiliation. This remains a private aspect of his personal life.
Which Club Does Dean Huijsen Play For? Position and Jersey Number
Huijsen currently plays for Real Madrid in La Liga. He also represents the Spain national team at the senior level. He wears the jersey number #24 for Real Madrid, a number he adopted upon his official presentation at the club on June 9, 2025.
Position: Modern, Aggressive Centre-Back
Huijsen plays as a centre-back. His style is described as modern and aggressive. He often steps outside the defensive line to intercept passes and initiate individual duels. This proactive approach sets him apart from more traditional, conservative defenders. His height gives him a significant advantage in aerial duels, where he recorded a 59.3% success rate in the Premier League, ranking among the best in the division for that metric.
Transfer to Real Madrid
Real Madrid triggered a €59.5 million release clause in Huijsen’s contract in May 2025 to bring him from Bournemouth. He signed a contract with Los Blancos until July 2030. This transfer underlined his rapid development and the club’s belief in his long-term potential. For context on rising stars in La Liga, see the profile on Riccardo Calafiori – Age, Arsenal Transfer, Private Life and Real Madrid Rumors.
Dean Huijsen’s Career Path: Bournemouth Loan and Transfer to Real Madrid
Huijsen began his youth career in Spain at Málaga CF before joining Juventus at age 16 in 2021. He played for Juventus Next Gen and made his senior debut for the club in January 2023, followed by a Serie A debut later that year. A loan spell at AS Roma in 2024 gave him further top-flight experience.
Huijsen’s market value increased significantly after his 2025 transfer to Real Madrid. From a €15.2 million arrival at Bournemouth in July 2024 to a €59.5 million release clause just one year later, his value reflects his fast trajectory through Juventus, Roma, and the Premier League.
In July 2024, Huijsen signed for AFC Bournemouth for €15.2 million, a fee that could rise to €18.2 million. He made his Premier League debut on August 17 and scored his first goal on December 5, becoming the youngest Cherries scorer in the competition. He made 25 appearances across his loan spell.
Real Madrid’s move for Huijsen in May 2025 marked another major step. The €59.5 million release clause was activated, and he was officially presented at the Santiago Bernabéu in June 2025. For more on top forwards, see the article on Nicolas Jackson – Stats, Club, Religion & Career Facts.
Career Timeline
- 2005: Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- 2015: Joined Málaga CF academy after moving to Spain at age five.
- 2021: Joined Juventus youth academy at 16.
- 2023: Senior debut for Juventus; Serie A debut in October.
- 2024: Loan spells at AS Roma and then AFC Bournemouth.
- 2025: Transferred to Real Madrid; debut for Spain national team.
Is Dean Huijsen Injured? Latest Fitness Update
Recent headlines have questioned whether Huijsen will return for a Clásico match against Barcelona after an injury, though no specific long-term injury update has been officially confirmed. As of the latest available data, he is not subject to a long-term injury report. Huijsen received a one-game suspension after a red card in a Clásico match against Barcelona. He publicly criticized the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over the decision. Officials later confirmed the send-off was “wrongful,” and his coach, Xabi Alonso, was also “unconvinced” by the call, describing it as “wrongful.”
No official injury report from Real Madrid or the Spanish national team has confirmed any specific fitness issue as of late 2025. His status is broadly considered fit unless an official club or international team announcement states otherwise.
Dean Huijsen and the Spain National Team: International Career
Huijsen made his senior debut for Spain in March 2025. He was eligible to represent the Netherlands, where he was born, but chose to play for Spain, the country where he grew up from age five. His national team debut was confirmed by multiple official sources and reflects his standing as part of a new generation of technically skilled Spanish centre-backs.
What We Know vs. What Is Still Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth, age, height, position, and current club are confirmed by multiple official sources (Wikipedia, UEFA, Premier League). | Dean Huijsen’s religion is not publicly confirmed; no official source or interview provides a clear answer. |
| Nationality (Spain) confirmed via Real Madrid and Spain squad data. | Parents’ full names and exact origins are not officially detailed; known only from biographical sketches. |
| Transfer to Real Madrid in 2025 is confirmed by official club announcement. | Injury status: no official injury report as of the latest available data; status is ‘fit’ unless otherwise stated. |
Background: What Does Dean Huijsen’s Rise Mean?
Huijsen is part of a new generation of Spanish centre-backs with strong technical foundations. His transfer from Bournemouth to Real Madrid highlights his rapid development and high potential. His height and ground coverage make him a future asset for both club and country. He remains a subject of interest for fantasy football and transfer market observers due to his rising market value.
Sources and Expert Context
“Dean Huijsen is a commanding centre-back with impressive passing range.”
— UEFA.com, Official UEFA Profile
“Market value increased significantly after 2025 transfer to Real Madrid.”
— Transfermarkt, Market Analysis
“Huijsen made 25 appearances for Bournemouth in 2024/25.”
— Premier League Official Site, Loan Stats Summary
Summary: Who Is Dean Huijsen in 2025?
Dean Huijsen is a 21-year-old Spanish centre-back for Real Madrid, standing at 1.97 m and known for his aggressive, ball-playing defensive style. Born in Amsterdam but raised in Spain, he progressed through Málaga, Juventus, Roma, and Bournemouth before a €59.5 million move to Real Madrid in 2025. He debuted for Spain in 2025 and represents the next generation of elite defenders in European football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dean Huijsen
How old is Dean Huijsen?
He is 21 years old, born on 14 April 2005.
What is Dean Huijsen’s height?
He is 1.97 meters tall, which is about 6 feet 5 inches.
What position does Dean Huijsen play?
He plays as a centre-back.
What is Dean Huijsen’s nationality?
He represents Spain internationally.
Which club does Dean Huijsen play for?
He currently plays for Real Madrid.
Who are Dean Huijsen’s parents?
His father is Dutch and his mother is Spanish, but their full names are not widely publicized.
Does Dean Huijsen have a confirmed religion?
No, his religion is not publicly known or confirmed.
Is Dean Huijsen injured right now?
There is no current official injury report; he is considered fit.
What shirt number does Dean Huijsen wear?
He wears the number #24 jersey at Real Madrid.
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Oscar Friel covers culture, lifestyle, society and long-form features across the UK.