Real Madrid have broken their own record for a defensive signing by paying 58 million euros for Dean Huijsen.
No other defender in the club’s 123-year history has cost as much. Until now, the highest fee Madrid had paid for a defender was 50 million euros for Eder Militao.
Madrid had previously set an unofficial limit of 40 million euros for defenders. They were unwilling to raise that for Lenny Yoro and ended up losing him. But that policy changed on 17 May 2025, the day they signed Huijsen.
Militao’s 50 million euros had been the top mark. Ferland Mendy came close with his 48 million euros move from Lyon. Those two were rare exceptions. Madrid usually avoid spending big in defence.
Odriozola’s 35 million euros and Danilo’s 31.5 million euros complete the club’s top five most expensive defenders.
Here is the top 10 list of the most expensive defenders in Real Madrid’s history
Huijsen now leads that list, marking a shift in Madrid’s transfer approach.