On May 17, 2025, Huijsen, the 20-year-old Bournemouth defender, completed a blockbuster £50 million transfer to Real Madrid, a move that has electrified the football world. With a five-year contract until 2030, Huijsen is set to join the Spanish giants for the Club World Cup in June, outpacing bids from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
This article explores Huijsen’s meteoric rise, his standout Premier League season, and what his move means for Real Madrid, offering fans a deep dive into one of football’s brightest talents.
Background: Huijsen’s Rapid Ascent
Huijsen, born in Amsterdam and raised in Spain, emerged as a prodigy at Málaga’s academy before joining Juventus at 16, where he made his senior debut in 2023, per The Athletic. A loan spell at Roma in 2023-24, with 14 appearances and two goals, showcased his potential, leading Bournemouth to sign him for £12.6 million in July 2024, per Sky Sports.
In his debut Premier League season, Huijsen made 34 appearances, scoring three goals and helping Bournemouth achieve a club-record points tally, per The Independent.
After leaving the Netherlands, he was called up to the Spain senior squad for his exploits, which included a commanding showing against Alexander Isak of Newcastle, according to BBC Sport. According to Football, Huijsen was compared to his idol, Sergio Ramos, because of his versatility, aerial prowess, and passing range in London. According to the Daily Mail, Real Madrid, who initially scouted him at Málaga, triggered his £50 million release clause, thwarting six European powerhouses.
The Transfer: A Dream Move
The Huijsen transfer, finalized after he passed his medical in London, marks a significant coup for Real Madrid, who prioritized him for their Club World Cup squad, per ESPN. Bournemouth allowed Huijsen to leave early, with the £50 million fee—paid in three installments—netting a £37.4 million profit, per Yahoo Sports.
His decision to join Real Madrid, despite interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bayern Munich, and PSG, reflects his lifelong ambition to play at the Bernabeu, where he toured as a 16-year-old, per BBC Sport.
Real Madrid’s outgoing coach, Carlo Ancelotti, praised Huijsen as “a great player, young, with a lot of potential,” citing injuries to their backline as a key factor, per The Guardian. X posts, like @AliceTalksFooty, lauded his league-leading defensive duel success rate, while @FabrizioRomano confirmed the deal’s completion, noting his medical and contract until 2030.
Huijsen’s Strengths and Challenges
Huijsen’s 6’5” frame, elite passing, and aerial dominance make him a modern centre-back, though his tackling and occasional lack of pace need refinement, per Sporting News. His 30 Premier League starts, with a 91% pass completion rate and 68% duel success, highlight his readiness, per Sky Sports.
But according to the Daily Mail, Juan Gutierrez, his previous coach at Málaga, cautioned that his lack of playing time at Real Madrid might impede his development and urged him to get a starting position.
According to the Daily Mail, Huijsen joins Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid, where new coach Xabi Alonso is looking for a youthful center-back. Although the competition is intense, he might establish a long-term alliance with Eder Militao as veterans like David Alaba age, according to The Athletic.
Why Huijsen’s Move Matters
Huijsen’s transfer is a testament to his calculated career choices, from Málaga to Juventus, Roma, Bournemouth, and now Real Madrid, per Mirror Online. For fans, his story underscores the value of development at mid-table clubs, with Bournemouth’s platform propelling him to stardom.
The move, one of the summer’s biggest, positions Huijsen as a potential Sergio Ramos successor, with the Club World Cup as his stage to shine, per The Independent. As Bournemouth fans lament his exit, Real Madrid supporters dream of a new defensive cornerstone. Read more.
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