Dean Huijsen will wear a new shirt number in his second season at Real Madrid. After wearing No. 24 during his first year at the club, the Spanish centre-back has now been handed one of the most symbolic numbers in the club’s history.
Real Madrid officially announced the squad numbers for the 2026/27 season on Monday, with Dean Huijsen taking over the prestigious No. 4 shirt following the departure of David Alaba. Shortly after the announcement, the young defender shared an emotional message on Instagram explaining just how much the number means to him.
For Huijsen, wearing No. 4 at the Santiago Bernabéu is much more than a simple change of shirt number. It represents the fulfilment of a childhood dream and connects him with some of the greatest defenders ever to represent Real Madrid.
“I always dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and wearing the No. 4 shirt. When I was little, my biggest idol was Sergio Ramos, who wore number four. He is a true legend of Real Madrid and world football. I still remember playing in his boots because I wanted to be like him,” Huijsen wrote.
Sergio Ramos transformed the No. 4 into one of the most recognisable shirts in modern Real Madrid history. The former captain won virtually every major trophy possible with the Spanish giants and became renowned for his leadership, personality and decisive goals in the biggest matches.
However, Ramos was not the only legendary defender mentioned by Huijsen. The 21-year-old also paid tribute to Fernando Hierro and David Alaba, two other players who carried the number with distinction.
“Before him, another football legend like Fernando Hierro wore it at Real Madrid and became a legend of world football. It makes me even happier because he is from Málaga, like me,” Huijsen continued.
“Then another legend wore it, and I had the pleasure of sharing the dressing room with him. David Alaba has undoubtedly been one of the best teammates and one of the best people I have met in football. He always worked hard and was always there to help everyone with his experience and leadership.”
Huijsen is fully aware of the responsibility that comes with inheriting such a historic number. Rather than being intimidated by its past, however, the defender sees it as motivation to build his own legacy at the Bernabéu.
He concluded his message by thanking everyone at the club for the confidence placed in him.
⚪️4️⃣ Dean Huijsen has picked shirt number 4 from this season, a tribute to his idol Sergio Ramos.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2026
“He’s my idol, an absolute reference for me”, Dean said. pic.twitter.com/L6GoRskAtW
“I want to thank the club, the president, the coach, the players and all the supporters of this great club. I know that this number has a history full of legends, and I hope I can write my own story so that one day people will consider me worthy of having worn this shirt and this number.”
“What I do know is that I will give everything I have every single day, whether in training or during a match.”
Now wearing the legendary No. 4, Huijsen begins another important chapter of his Real Madrid career. The shirt carries enormous history, but the young defender is determined to add his own name to its prestigious legacy.
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