Andoni Iraola has ‘no doubts’ Dean Huijsen will be a big success at Real Madrid | OneFootball

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has backed the departing Dean Huijsen to be a big success at Real Madrid.

It was announced last week that Huijsen would be joining the current Champions League holders at the start of June for £50 million, after Los Blancos activated his release clause.

Bournemouth have allowed the Spanish international to join prior to Real’s Club World Cup campaign, with the 20-year-old signing a five-year deal after only one season at the Cherries, having joined from Italian side Juventus in a deal worth £12.8 million last summer.

Huijsen’s impressive performances had put him on the radar of some of Europe’s biggest sides, not just Madrid, and Iraola is confident the defender will be a success at the Spanish giants.

“You never want to lose this kind of player,” Iraola said. “He has been very good for us but there is a part also that you feel happy for him because he goes to Real Madrid. I think it is what he really wanted to do and we hope everything goes well for him after these two games.

“I have no doubts he is ready for the jump. Real Madrid is probably the biggest club in the world, or one of the biggest, but I think he has the level not only on the football side – the maturity, the confidence in himself to go there and perform.”

Iraola added: “He’ll have a lot of competition to play, but I trust him a lot and I think he’s going to be very good for Real Madrid.”

“For someone who is just 20, I think he has managed this situation quite well. I haven’t seen anything in training. He’s pushing. He’s ready to finish these (last) two games.

“There was a chance this could happen and it gives the club time now in the market to prepare for next season.”