Defender Huijsen Called Up to Spain Squad for the First Time
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has been called up to the Spain national team for the first time on Monday after Barcelona’s Iñigo Martínez suffered an injury ahead of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal clash against the Netherlands.
Huijsen, 19, who was born in the Netherlands, has been enjoying an impressive season with Bournemouth, a club aiming to qualify for European competitions next season. He previously played for the Dutch youth national team before representing Spain’s U21 side.
A Juventus academy graduate, Huijsen joined Bournemouth in July and has made 27 appearances for the Premier League club.
The Spanish Football Federation released a statement confirming: “Iñigo Martínez has been ruled out of the national team due to a right knee injury. In his place, Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente has called up Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen.”
Spain, last year’s European champions, will travel to Rotterdam to face the Netherlands in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals on Thursday before hosting the return leg at the Mestalla Stadium on March 23.
