**He is coming. Dean Huijsen eyes five iconic numbers at Real Madrid, each one holding the promise of future glory*
Real Madrid is closing in on a major coup with the imminent signing of teenage sensation Dean Huijsen. The Bournemouth defender has agreed to a five-year deal with the Spanish giants, signaling Los Blancos’ intent to build their future defense around the 19-year-old prodigy.
Huijsen has been turning heads across Europe with his mature performances that belie his young age. Real Madrid’s scouts have been particularly impressed by his composure under pressure and technical ability, seeing him as a potential defensive mainstay for years to come.
The burning question now is which shirt number the Dutch-born defender will inherit at the Bernabéu. His preferred number 2 is currently occupied by Dani Carvajal, forcing Huijsen to consider other iconic digits that carry their own weight in Madrid’s history.
Several numbers are potentially up for grabs this summer. The departures of Jesús Vallejo and Lucas Vázquez will free up numbers 12, 17 and 18, while uncertainty surrounds David Alaba’s number 4 and Ferland Mendy’s number 23.
At Real Madrid, squad numbers carry more significance than at most clubs. The final choice will depend on seniority, player preference, and even superstition – factors that could see Huijsen wait until preseason to make his selection.
Huijsen’s arrival coincides with Real Madrid’s strategic shift towards blending youth with experience. Club officials view him as a crucial building block in their long-term project to maintain dominance in Spanish and European football.
The young defender brings an ideal skillset for Madrid’s system – strong in the air, tactically intelligent, and comfortable playing out from the back. These qualities have drawn comparisons to some of the club’s legendary defenders of past eras.
All eyes will now be on when Madrid officially unveil their new defensive recruit. The timing of the announcement could provide clues about how quickly manager Carlo Ancelotti plans to integrate Huijsen into the first team setup.
This transfer represents more than just another signing – it’s a statement of intent from Real Madrid as they look to the future while maintaining their relentless pursuit of silverware. Huijsen could well be the next in a long line of defensive greats to shine at the Bernabéu.