Dean Huijsen Aims to Follow in Sergio Ramos’ Footsteps After Joining Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s latest acquisition, Dean Huijsen, has openly expressed his admiration for club legend Sergio Ramos, calling him his “idol” and declaring his desire “to be like Sergio Ramos.”

The 20-year-old centre-back, who signed a five-year contract with Madrid last month, is currently preparing with the Spanish national team ahead of their UEFA Nations League semifinal clash against France.

Inspired by a Legend

In a conversation with Diario AS following a training session with the Spanish team, Huijsen did not hesitate to speak about the player who has shaped his footballing ambitions.

Referring to Ramos, he said, “I try to aspire to be like Sergio Ramos. He’s my idol. For me, he’s very complete, he had everything. In terms of leadership, goalscoring, personality, character.”

Born in Amsterdam but raised in Málaga, Huijsen has had a rapid ascent over the past year.

His journey has included stints at Málaga’s youth setup, Juventus, a loan spell at Roma, and a breakout season with Bournemouth in the Premier League. His standout performances also earned him his Spain debut in March.

A Swift Rise to the Top

Huijsen’s plan had initially been to spend more time in England. “My plan was to spend two years at Bournemouth, and grow, and then figure out what to do next,” he said. “But things have moved very quickly, faster than I expected.”

Real Madrid is undergoing significant changes in defense following a disappointing season.

The club has already brought in right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and is working on a deal for left-back Álvaro Carreras. The addition of Huijsen signals Madrid’s intent to rebuild their backline with promising talent.

Discussions With Xabi Alonso

Huijsen has already had discussions with Madrid’s new head coach, Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti after a season without any major silverware.

The team is set to participate in the Club World Cup this month, and Alonso has shared his early vision with the young defender.

“We’ve talked a bit about the team and what he has in mind, and about the project,” Huijsen said. “Of course, we want to win things again, and I’m sure we will… I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. But I’m here at Madrid, and I’ll try to do my best.”

Joining a Star-Studded Squad

Despite Madrid’s roster full of talent, the team failed to deliver last season.

The departure of Ancelotti, who will now coach Brazil, came after Madrid finished second in LaLiga, lost the Copa del Rey final, and were knocked out in the Champions League quarterfinals. They also endured a record four straight Clásico defeats to Barcelona.

Huijsen, however, is enthusiastic about his new teammates. “I want to play with the best,” he said. “[Kylian] Mbappé, Vinícius [Júnior], Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham, all those in attack — they’re some of the best there is.”

Club World Cup: The First Big Test

Real Madrid will begin their Club World Cup campaign on June 18 against Al Hilal in Miami. They will face Pachuca on June 22 and Salzburg on June 26. For Huijsen, this tournament presents the first major opportunity to prove himself in a Madrid shirt.

Although his official presentation has yet to take place, Huijsen has already made a strong statement. His desire to emulate Sergio Ramos reflects both his ambition and determination to leave a mark at the club.

Aiming for Greatness

Huijsen’s arrival is seen as a key move to strengthen Madrid’s defense, which struggled due to injuries last season. His recent comments — “He aspires to be like Sergio Ramos; he’s my idol” — make it clear that he sees himself as a long-term solution at the heart of Madrid’s defense.

At just 20 years old, Huijsen has already shown his quality. During his debut Premier League season, he played 3,078 yards (2,812 meters) and secured a regular starting position with Bournemouth.

Despite several offers, he did not hesitate to join Madrid, clearly identifying it as the right environment to develop further.

Following a Madrid Legend

With Sergio Ramos having played 671 matches for Real Madrid, Huijsen’s ambition is set high. His goal is to surpass the legacy of his idol and establish his own chapter in the club’s history.

Huijsen’s talent and drive position him as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe. As Real Madrid prepares for the Club World Cup, all eyes will be on Huijsen to see if he can begin his journey toward becoming the next great centre-back at the Bernabéu.