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Real Madrid activate £50m release clause to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen

The 20-year-old defender is signing a five-year deal with the La Liga side after fending off other offers

Ian Parker
Saturday 17 May 2025 12:02 BST
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen will join Real Madrid on 1 June
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen will join Real Madrid on 1 June ((Adam Davy/PA))

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen will move to Real Madrid in time to feature in the Club World Cup after the Spanish giants activated his £50m release clause.

Madrid have moved to sign the 20-year-old defender on a five-year deal after his impressive performances this season brought him to the attention of several clubs across Europe.

The deal was jointly announced by both clubs, with Madrid saying that Huijsen will join their ranks on 1 June, two weeks before the Club World Cup kicks off in the United States. Madrid’s first match is against Al Hilal on 18 June.

“Real Madrid CF and AFC Bournemouth have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Dean Huijsen, who remains tied to our club for the next five seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030,” the Madrid statement said.

The transfer represents a significant profit for the Cherries, less than 12 months since they signed the Malaga academy product from Juventus for £12.6m on a six-year contract.

His former clubs, Juventus and Malaga, are also set to benefit, receiving 10 per cent and 5 per cent respectively, according to BBC Sport.

Since then, Huijsen has made a huge impact, swiftly adapting to English football and excelling as Bournemouth have competed in the top half of the table, breaking the club’s highest points tally in the Premier League.

The Amsterdam-born player has made 34 appearances for the Cherries, scoring two goals, while this season also saw him make his international debut for Spain after switching his allegiance from the Netherlands, having played for the country of his birth at youth level.

Real had pursued Huijsen before, but he turned them down to join Juventus, aged 16.

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