Dean Huijsen Reveals the Meaning Behind His Real Madrid No.4

Dean Huijsen has been entrusted with one of the most storied shirts in the club’s history. Real Madrid confirmed on Monday that the young centre-back will wear the number 4 in 2026-27, and Dean Huijsen wasted little time explaining why the choice means so much to him.

The number carries serious weight at the Santiago Bernabéu. It was worn for years by Sergio Ramos and, before him, by another Málaga-born great in Fernando Hierro, while David Alaba was its most recent custodian before leaving the club. The switch was part of Real Madrid’s confirmed squad numbers for the new campaign, and for a defender who grew up idolising Ramos, inheriting the shirt is a moment loaded with meaning.

What the No.4 means to Dean Huijsen

“It was always my dream to be able to play for Real Madrid and with the number 4. As a kid, Sergio Ramos was always my great idol, the one who wore the number 4 and became a true legend for Real Madrid and for world football. I still remember when I used to play in his boots, the SR4s, because I wanted to be like him.”

Speaking via Managing Madrid, Huijsen also paid tribute to Hierro and thanked former teammate David Alaba, along with the club, the president and Mourinho, acknowledging the legacy attached to a shirt “full of legends”.

Now the challenge is to add his own chapter. With Real Madrid opening their LaLiga season against Espanyol on 22 August, Huijsen has the platform to turn a sentimental shirt number into a statement of intent under José Mourinho.