Marbella Player Dean Huijsen Joins Spain’s Under-21 Squad
Marbella has a new international athlete in its ranks. Defender Dean Huijsen, born in the Netherlands but raised in Marbella, has been called up by Santi Denia to play for the under-21 national team in the upcoming friendly matches. He is the third player from the municipality to wear the Spanish jersey in the lower categories.
Huijsen’s Emergence in European Football
Dean Huijsen’s emergence in European football has not gone unnoticed by Santi Denia. The coach of Spain’s under-21 team has called up the Marbella-born center-back to participate in the upcoming national commitments. The under-21 team will play a friendly match on March 21 against Slovakia and will face Belgium on March 26 in the sixth match of the qualifying phase for the 2025 European Championship in the category.
Spain’s Under-21 Squad Announcement
Coach Santi Denia has announced the list of 23 players called up, which includes three new faces: Dean Huijsen, Mateo Joseph, and Mosquera. Huijsen, who is about to turn 19, is a center-back born in the Netherlands but raised in Marbella from a young age, having moved there with his parents when he was just five years old.
Huijsen’s Football Journey
Costa Unida, Málaga CF, Juventus, and currently Roma are the teams where the new Spanish international has played. The Marbella-born footballer is a defender with a great stature who dominates the aerial game and has a very good foot. A quality center-back with a good strike who is making the most of his minutes in Roma.
Huijsen’s Spanish Nationality
On February 21, Dean Huijsen received Spanish nationality by naturalization, as published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). A necessary move with a view to his call-up for the national team. Although Huijsen has defended the colors of the Netherlands on several occasions in the lower categories, he is now taking the step to play with Spain.
Marbella’s Contribution to Spanish Football
Dean Huijsen is the third player from the municipality to represent a Spanish national team in the lower categories. Before him, Kepa Blanco wore the under-21 jersey and Javier Ontiveros represented the under-19 team.
