Romero’s Tottenham Tenure Concludes
Cristian Romero has confirmed his departure from Tottenham Hotspur, acknowledging that his five-year tenure with the club was not always without its challenges. The Argentina international is set to join Atletico Madrid in a move reported to be around 40 million euros (£34.1m), which also includes a 15 per cent sell-on clause as part of the agreement.
Romero made 156 appearances for Spurs across all competitions. He joined the club from Atalanta in 2021, becoming a key figure in their defence. His time in north London saw him often described as a contentious figure, with some criticism directed at his disciplinary record on the pitch.
Despite some divisive moments, Romero played a significant role in a historic achievement for Tottenham. He was named man of the match in the 2025 Europa League final against Manchester United, a victory that ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought. This triumph marked a high point in his career with Spurs.
Reflecting on His Time at the Club
In a statement, Romero reflected on his time at Tottenham, stating, “I know I wasn’t perfect. But one thing gives me peace: I always gave everything. I defended this shirt with pride and with all my heart.” He also expressed his deep connection to the club, adding, “I’m leaving the club, but a part of my heart will always remain here. Once I was one of you. Today, I leave as one of you forever.”
Romero’s ambition upon arrival was clear: “When I arrived, I had a clear dream: to leave my name in this club’s history.” He believed the path to achieving this was through “hard work, sacrifice and achieving something that had seemed so difficult for so long: lifting a trophy again. And we did it.”
His final game for Tottenham was against Sunderland in April, where he sustained a knee injury. This injury ruled him out of the club’s last six Premier League games. During this period, Spurs were involved in a relegation battle. Romero had initially planned to be in Argentina to watch his first club, Belgrano, play in the Primera Division Apertura final, which caused upset among fans.
However, he ultimately returned to England to attend Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Everton. This win ensured their Premier League survival, with the club finishing 17th for a second consecutive season. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi praised Romero’s support during his time in charge, despite the defender spending much of it recovering from injury. De Zerbi indicated he would not prevent Romero from leaving if he chose to do so.
Romero’s departure comes after he was named Spurs captain by former boss Thomas Frank following Heung-min Son’s move to Major League Soccer (MLS). He had also signed a new four-year contract just last summer, meaning he will leave only 12 months into that deal. The 28-year-old defender was scheduled to return for pre-season training this week after extended leave following the World Cup.
His move to Atletico Madrid will see him work under compatriot Diego Simeone, a move that has been linked for several years. Romero’s statements reflect a mix of pride in his achievements and an acknowledgement of the challenges faced during his time at Tottenham.
Source: bbc.co.uk