Huijsen joins Real Madrid for £50M, will play in Club World Cup

Dean Huijsen is Real Madrid's newest young star.

The Spanish side confirmed the signing of the center-back from Bournemouth after agreeing to activate his £50-million release clause.

"Real Madrid and Bournemouth have reached a deal for the transfer of player Dean Huijsen, who will be at our club for the next five seasons, from June 1 2025 until June 30, 2030," said Los Blancos in a statement.

That timelines means Huijsen will be eligible to feature for Real Madrid at this summer's Club World Cup, which begins June 14.

It's understood that Real Madrid expedited the process to sign the 20-year-old Spaniard after their damaging defeat to rivals Barcelona, sources told ESPN's Rodrigo Faez. Dutch-born Huijsen, who plays for the Spanish national team and has already made his debut for Luis de la Fuente's side, accepted Madrid's offer almost immediately despite interest from various Premier League clubs, Faez adds.

Real Madrid were eager to send players to Bournemouth in an effort to lower the £50-million release clause in Huijsen's contract, but the English club rejected that proposal. Liverpool and Chelsea were among the English teams interested in him.

Juventus and Malaga, two of Huijsen's former clubs, will reportedly receive percentages of the £50-million fee.

Huijsen has excelled in his lone Premier League season after joining Bournemouth from Juventus for £12.8 million, earning a call-up to the Spanish national side during a campaign in which he's established himself as an elite modern defender after making 30 Premier League appearances.

Departing Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed the signing.

"He's a great player, young, he has a lot of potential, it's a very good signing by Real Madrid," Ancelotti said during a news conference Saturday. "Every player that Real Madrid signs excites me, because Real Madrid always want to be at the top, and they will always be at the top."

Madrid are also trying to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool so that the English right-back can join them ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States this summer.

Benfica full-back Alvaro Carreras is another Madrid target. A deal for the 22-year-old is expected to cost around €60 million.