Few 21-year-old centre-backs have a career path that reads like a FIFA career mode save. Dean Huijsen went from the Juventus academy to a Premier League breakout at Bournemouth, and then to Real Madrid — all before his 21st birthday, and this profile breaks down his height, age, position, club career, international switch, and the details behind his €59.4 million move to the Bernabéu.
Full name: Dean Huijsen ·
Date of birth: 14 April 2005 (age 21) ·
Height: 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) ·
Position: Centre-back ·
Current club: Real Madrid ·
National team: Spain
“Dean Huijsen joins Real Madrid as a promising young centre-back with great potential.” — Real Madrid CF official site
Quick snapshot
- Height: 1.97 m (Wikipedia profile)
- Date of birth: 14 April 2005 (Goal profile)
- Current club: Real Madrid (Real Madrid CF official site)
- National team: Spain (The Scouting App report)
- Religion: Not publicly disclosed
- Exact injury history: Minor knocks only, no serious injuries confirmed
- Parents’ names and occupations: Not widely reported
- Agent or representative details: Not publicly available
- 2015: Joined Juventus academy from Ajax (Goal report)
- 2024: Transferred to Bournemouth for €15.2 million (The Athletic report)
- 2025: Moved to Real Madrid for €59.4 million (Real Madrid CF official site)
- Competing for a starting spot at Real Madrid
- Potential Spain senior World Cup squad call-up
- Continued development under Carlo Ancelotti
The table below summarises the key verified facts about Dean Huijsen, drawn from official club records and verified databases.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dean Huijsen |
| Date of birth | 14 April 2005 |
| Place of birth | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Height | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) |
| Weight | 86 kg (190 lbs) |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Current club | Real Madrid |
| Jersey number | 24 |
| National team | Spain |
| Foot | Left |
How tall is Dean Huijsen?
What is Dean Huijsen’s height in feet and inches?
Dean Huijsen stands at 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in), according to both Wikipedia profile and Real Madrid’s official site. Some third-party databases like FotMob player profile list him between 195 cm and 197 cm, but the club’s own measurement is the most authoritative.
“Real Madrid triggered Huijsen’s release clause and agreed a fee of £50 million (€59.4 million) to be paid in installments.” — The Athletic report
How does Dean Huijsen’s height compare to other centre-backs?
At 1.97 m, Huijsen is taller than the average Premier League centre-back (around 1.86 m). He matches the height of Virgil van Dijk (1.93 m) and surpasses Antonio Rüdiger (1.90 m). His frame gives him a clear advantage in aerial duels — he won nine aerial battles on his Bournemouth debut alone, per Wikipedia profile.
Huijsen’s height is his standout physical asset. For a 21-year-old centre-back, winning nine aerial duels in a Premier League debut signals a defender who can dominate physically from day one.
How old is Dean Huijsen?
What is Dean Huijsen’s date of birth?
Dean Huijsen was born on 14 April 2005 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, as confirmed by Goal profile. That makes him 21 years old as of 2025.
What is Dean Huijsen’s religion?
Dean Huijsen’s religion is not publicly disclosed. No official biography or reputable media outlet has reported on his religious affiliations.
Who are Dean Huijsen’s parents?
Dean Huijsen’s parents’ names and occupations are not widely reported. It is known that he qualifies for Spain through his mother, who is Spanish, and his father is Dutch.
When did Dean Huijsen start his professional career?
Huijsen joined the Juventus youth system at age 10 in 2015, moving from Ajax’s academy. He made his senior debut for Juventus U23 in Serie C in 2022, and his first-team debut for Juventus in Serie A in 2023, per Goal report.
The implication: Huijsen’s professional timeline is compressed. He went from youth football to a Real Madrid starting spot in roughly three years — an unusually fast trajectory even for elite prospects.
What position does Dean Huijsen play?
Is Dean Huijsen a left-back or centre-back?
Huijsen is primarily a centre-back, as listed on Transfermarkt market value and Real Madrid’s official site. He is left-footed, which gives him an edge playing on the left side of a central defensive pair.
Can Dean Huijsen play defensive midfield?
Yes. Huijsen has also been deployed as a defensive midfielder, according to The Scouting App report. His comfort on the ball and passing range make him a viable option in midfield, though his primary role remains centre-back.
A left-footed centre-back who can also play defensive midfield is a tactical asset. Managers can shift formations without substitutions — a rare flexibility for a player his age.
Did Dean Huijsen play for Juventus?
When did Dean Huijsen join Juventus?
Huijsen joined Juventus’s academy in 2015 from Ajax’s youth system, as reported by Goal report. Juventus outlined a clear pathway to first-team football to persuade him to leave Ajax.
Why did Dean Huijsen leave Juventus for Real Madrid?
Huijsen left Juventus for Bournemouth in summer 2024 for an initial €15.2 million, with Juventus retaining a sell-on clause, per The Athletic report. After one season at Bournemouth, Real Madrid triggered his release clause in May 2025, agreeing a fee of £50 million (€59.4 million) to be paid in installments.
How many appearances did Dean Huijsen make for Juventus?
Huijsen made 14 senior appearances for Juventus before his transfer to Bournemouth, per Wikipedia profile. He also spent time on loan at Roma in January 2024.
The pattern: Huijsen’s career is a series of calculated upward moves — from Ajax to Juventus, then to Bournemouth for guaranteed minutes, and finally to Real Madrid once he had proven himself in the Premier League.
Which national team does Dean Huijsen represent?
Does Dean Huijsen play for the Netherlands or Spain?
Huijsen represents Spain at senior level. He previously played for Netherlands youth teams but switched his international allegiance in 2024, according to The Scouting App report.
Why did Dean Huijsen choose Spain over the Netherlands?
Huijsen qualifies for Spain through his mother, who is Spanish. He was raised in Spain, particularly in the Málaga CF youth academy, before moving to Juventus. That upbringing likely influenced his decision to represent La Roja.
Has Dean Huijsen played for Spain’s youth teams?
Yes. Huijsen debuted for Spain U21 in 2024 and made his senior Spain national team debut in March 2025, per FOX Sports profile.
By choosing Spain, Huijsen enters a more competitive national team pool. But with Spain’s centre-back depth aging, his path to regular senior caps may open sooner than it would with the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dean Huijsen’s net worth?
Dean Huijsen’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, his transfer to Real Madrid for €59.4 million and a five-season contract through 2030 suggest a significant salary, though exact figures remain private.
How many goals has Dean Huijsen scored in his career?
As a centre-back, Huijsen has scored a handful of goals across his youth and senior career. Exact career goal totals vary by source, but his primary contribution is defensive rather than goalscoring.
Is Dean Huijsen married?
Dean Huijsen is not known to be married. He has not publicly discussed his relationship status.
What is Dean Huijsen’s salary at Real Madrid?
Dean Huijsen’s salary at Real Madrid has not been officially disclosed. Reports from The Athletic report indicate the transfer fee structure but do not specify his personal terms.
Did Dean Huijsen play for the Netherlands youth teams?
Yes. Huijsen represented the Netherlands at various youth levels before switching his international allegiance to Spain in 2024, per The Scouting App report.
What is Dean Huijsen’s Instagram handle?
Dean Huijsen’s official Instagram handle is @deanhuijsen, where he posts updates about his career and personal life.
Who is Dean Huijsen’s idol in football?
Dean Huijsen has not publicly named a specific football idol. However, given his playing style and position, comparisons to Virgil van Dijk and Sergio Ramos are common in scouting reports.
Has Dean Huijsen been called up to the Spain senior World Cup squad?
Dean Huijsen made his senior Spain debut in March 2025. Whether he will be included in the next World Cup squad depends on his form at Real Madrid and the national team coach’s selections.
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- Mo Salah Transfer News & Facts: Is He Leaving Liverpool — High-profile football transfer analysis.
For Real Madrid, the bet on Huijsen is clear: invest €59.4 million in a 21-year-old centre-back who has already proven himself in Serie A and the Premier League. For Huijsen, the choice is equally clear: seize the starting spot at the world’s biggest club, or risk being a footnote in a stacked defensive lineup.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Reviewly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.