Real Madrid sign Dean Huijsen in a record-breaking move to address their biggest concern of the season—defense. The Spanish giants have struggled at the back, conceding a massive 76 goals across all competitions.
Defensive Woes in 2024–25
This season, Real Madrid were eliminated from Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup—with poor defense being a key reason. Here’s a breakdown of the goals conceded:
- La Liga: 38 goals
- Copa del Rey: 11 goals
- Spanish Super Cup: 5 goals
- Champions League: 22 goals
- Total: 76 goals
Compared to last season, that’s 12 more goals conceded, which could make this their worst defensive record in the 21st century.
Injury Crisis at the Back
Real Madrid’s defense was heavily affected by injuries. Key players like:
- Dani Carvajal
- Éder Militão
- Antonio Rüdiger
- Ferland Mendy
- David Alaba
- Lucas Vázquez
were sidelined, forcing midfielders like Valverde, Tchouaméni, and Camavinga to play as emergency defenders.
Who is Dean Huijsen?
Dean Donny Huijsen Wijsmuller is a 20-year-old Spanish defender born on April 14, 2005 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He started playing in Spain at age five and developed through:
- Costa Unida Academy (2010–15)
- Malaga CF (2015–21)
- Juventus (2021–2023)
- Roma (loan) – 13 games, 2 goals
- Bournemouth – 30 games, 3 goals
He impressed in the Premier League, debuting against Nottingham Forest and earning a regular starting spot from November 2024.
Real Madrid Win Race Against EPL Giants
Real Madrid sign Dean Huijsen for a record £50 million on a 5-year contract, beating competition from Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle. This is the highest amount Madrid has ever spent on a defender.
Playing Style and Strengths
Huijsen is known for:
- Strong long passes to launch quick counterattacks
- Excellent heading ability (he’s 6’5” tall)
- Physical presence that matches well with Antonio Rüdiger
His idol? Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid’s former captain. Joining the club was a dream for Huijsen, which led him to reject all English offers.
Club Debut and Future
Huijsen will officially join Real Madrid on June 1 and is expected to debut on June 19 against Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup under new manager Xabi Alonso.
International Career
Huijsen started with the Netherlands youth teams, playing for:
- U-17 (11 caps, 2 goals)
- U-18 (4 caps)
- U-19 (3 caps)
In 2024, he switched allegiance to Spain, where he played:
- Spain U-21 – 7 caps, 1 goal
- Spain Senior Team – Debuted in 2025 Nations League against the Netherlands
