Dean Huijsen: From Juventus to Bournemouth – A Rising Star’s Journey

Dean Huijsen, the young Dutch-Spanish defender, recently shared his experiences transitioning from Juventus to Bournemouth in a candid interview. The 18-year-old, who moved to the Premier League club for €15 million last summer, opened up about his past, present, and future aspirations.

Huijsen expressed his excitement about playing at Old Trafford, describing it as a dream come true. He also mentioned maintaining contact with former teammates like Matthijs de Ligt and shared his admiration for Joshua Zirkzee’s skills.

Comparing the Premier League to Serie A, Huijsen noted the former’s higher intensity and speed, along with its unpredictability. He singled out Erling Haaland and Son Heung-min as the most impressive players he’s encountered in England.

Regarding his departure from Juventus, Huijsen revealed it wasn’t his choice to leave. He explained that the club’s management, including Thiago Motta, informed him of their need to generate funds through his transfer. Tiago Pinto, who had previously brought him to Roma on loan, convinced him to join Bournemouth’s ambitious project.

Despite initial reluctance, Huijsen now feels content with his decision. He praised Bournemouth’s coach, Andoni Iraola, and highlighted the potential of teammates like Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo, Illia Zabarnyi, and Milos Kerkez. The young defender dreams of Champions League football but acknowledges that qualifying for any European competition would be a significant achievement for Bournemouth.

Huijsen also spoke fondly of his friend Kenan Yildiz, who remains at Juventus. He described Yildiz as deeply attached to the club and its fans, embodying the “Juve style” with his skills and work ethic.

Reflecting on his time in Italy, Huijsen expressed gratitude towards Massimiliano Allegri, who gave him his Serie A debut with Juventus. He also acknowledged the impact of José Mourinho and Daniele De Rossi during his loan spell at Roma.

While appreciative of his experiences in Italy, Huijsen emphasized his current happiness at Bournemouth, indicating his focus on succeeding in the Premier League for now.