9 Amazing Facts About Dean Huijsen From Youth Days
- Think Football Ideas
- 13 hours ago
- 5 min read
He didn’t burst onto the scene. No viral clips, no wonderkid labels stuck on too early. For a while, Dean Huijsen was just another tall kid in defence, quiet, focused, and far from the headlines.
But while others chased hype, he kept things simple: ball, boots, belief. He didn’t shout for attention; he grew into it. And now? Well, the name’s starting to stick. This isn’t the story of someone who was always destined. It’s the story of someone who made sure he got there anyway.
Here are 9 Amazing Facts About Dean Huijsen - The Defensive Marshall
1. His Youth Career was An Exciting Adventure
Dean Huijsen’s journey began on the sunny pitches of Marbella with Costa Unida CF, humble beginnings, but the spark was there. At 10, he joined Málaga CF’s youth setup in 2015, and by May 2021, Juventus came calling.
At just 16, he landed in Turin, joined the U17s, and quickly stood out with the poise of a seasoned pro. By the 2022–23 season, he’d jumped to the U19s, racked up six goals in 14 games, and even featured in first-team friendlies against Standard Liège and Rijeka. Not bad for a teen still learning his way around an Italian coffee menu.
2. He was 17 When He Made His Professional Debut
There’s debuting young, and then there’s debuting at 17 in the windswept wilds of Serie C. That’s exactly what Dean did on 8 January 2023, stepping out for Juventus Next Gen in a gritty 2–1 loss to league leaders Pordenone. The crowd? A modest 65 souls, but hey, legends have started in quieter places.
On 15 February, he bagged his first two professional goals in a Coppa Italia Serie C semi-final second leg against Foggia, yes, a centre-back netting a brace when it counted. Then came his first league goal on 2 April, even though it came in a loss to Feralpisalò. This stretch? Dean proving he wasn’t just potential, he was a product.
3. He Made His Serie A Debut on 22 October 2023 vs. AC Milan
Now this is what dreams are made of: San Siro, Serie A, AC Milan. On 22 October 2023, Dean Huijsen, still just 18, came off the bench to replace Federico Gatti in the 78th minute.
Juventus were clinging to a 1–0 lead and Allegri trusted a teenager to help see it out. That says something. And Huijsen? Calm, measured, and completely unfased. Just two weeks later, on 7 November, Juventus made it official, he was promoted to the first team. No more reserves, no more waiting. It was time to swim with the sharks, and the kid didn’t flinch.
4. His Loan Stint at Roma was Helpful For His Development
Roma took him on loan in January 2024, and while it wasn’t all smooth sailing, it was exactly what Dean needed. He debuted the very next day in a tight clash with Atalanta, showing flashes of composure and grit.
But football’s never linear, by February, he’d been left out of Roma’s Europa League squad by De Rossi, a tough call but maybe a blessing in disguise. It lit a fire. He responded in the most emphatic way possible, scoring his first Serie A goal on 5 February in a commanding 4–0 win over Cagliari. Sometimes, setbacks sharpen the edge.
5. He Once Turned Down the Opportunity to Sign for Real Madrid and Opted to Join Juventus in 2021
Let’s rewind to 2021. A teenager with options, real, shiny, Galáctico-type options. Real Madrid came calling, and most kids in his shoes would’ve sprinted to the Bernabéu.
But not Dean. Instead, he chose Juventus. Why? Development over dazzle. It was a move that raised eyebrows at the time, but now looks genius. In a world where young talent gets devoured by big clubs’ benches, he opted for a path where he could play, grow, and make his mark.
6. AFC Bournemouth Saw His Talent While the Big Clubs on English Soil Blinked
While some Premier League giants were napping, Bournemouth were wide awake. On 30 July 2024, they snapped up Dean from Juventus in a deal worth €15.2 million (with bonuses pushing it to €18.2m).
It was a gutsy move, English football is brutal, unforgiving, and very, very fast. But Bournemouth saw what others didn’t (or didn’t act on quickly enough). They gave him minutes, responsibility, and a platform. The Cherries may not be glamorous, but they’re shrewd, and Huijsen was about to prove them very right.
7. He Became Youngest-ever Premier League Scorer for Bournemouth
It didn’t take long. On 5 December 2024, Dean rose, literally, to head in the winner against Spurs in a 1–0 home victory. A defender scoring a decisive goal against a top-six side? Already special.
But the real stat? He became Bournemouth’s youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer. Not just a footnote, a record. A proper one. For a club that prides itself on smart buys and gritty talent, Dean was now a part of its modern history. And at just 19, you could feel he was only getting started.
8. European Giants Real Madrid Believe He is the Future
Apparently, saying “no” to Madrid once doesn’t close the door forever. On 17 May 2025, Real Madrid announced the signing of Dean Huijsen, activating his £50 million (€59.5 million) release clause. He would join the club officially on 1 June, signing a contract through July 2030.
What changed? Maybe nothing, Madrid just finally got serious. They saw the vision: a modern centre-back with a surgeon’s calm, a striker’s threat from set pieces, and a résumé that already screamed experience beyond his years.
9. Dean’s Father Donny Huijsen was On the Books at Ajax in the Mid-1990s
Turns out football really does run in the blood. Dean’s dad, Donny Huijsen, had his own career back in the day, including a stint with Jong Ajax in the mid-90s. He never quite made it to global stardom, but the love of the game clearly didn’t skip a generation.
Growing up with a footballer father meant Dean wasn’t just taught to play, but to think the game. He had that rare mix of street smarts and tactical brain from an early age.
And while Donny may not have worn a Real Madrid shirt, his son might just make up for that tenfold.