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Cristian Romero has completed his £34.2 million move from Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid, signing a five-year contract with the Spanish club.
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Tottenham will retain a 15 percent sell-on clause as the Argentina international brings his five-year spell in north London to an end.
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Romero leaves Spurs having made 124 appearances and helped the club end a 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League.
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The 28-year-old defender had been linked with Atletico throughout the summer, with Arsenal and Inter Milan also reportedly showing interest in his signature.
August 15, (THEWILL) — Cristian Romero has officially left Tottenham Hotspur after completing a £34.2 million transfer to Atletico Madrid, bringing an end to his five-year spell with the Premier League club.
The Argentina international has signed a five-year contract with Atletico after the Spanish side followed through on their long-standing interest in the central defender. Tottenham will also retain a 15 per cent sell-on clause as part of the agreement.
Romero had already announced his departure from Spurs on Friday, ahead of Atletico confirming the transfer. The move ends weeks of speculation surrounding the 28-year-old, who had been widely expected to leave Tottenham if an acceptable offer arrived.
The defender joined Tottenham in 2021 and went on to make 124 appearances for the club across five seasons. He became an important figure in the side and was eventually handed the captaincy.
A Trophy That Changed Romero’s Tottenham Legacy
Romero’s time at Tottenham was far from straightforward, but it ended with one of the most significant achievements in the club’s recent history.
He was part of the Tottenham team that won the Europa League, ending the club’s 17-year wait for a major trophy. Romero later described lifting that trophy as the fulfilment of a dream he had when he first arrived in north London.
In his farewell message to supporters, the Argentine acknowledged that his Tottenham journey had not been perfect but said he preferred to remember the positive moments, the lessons and the people who supported him throughout his time at the club.
His departure therefore closes a complicated chapter in which Romero was both one of Tottenham’s most talented defenders and, at times, a source of frustration for supporters.
Difficult Final Season at Spurs
Romero’s final campaign was particularly challenging as Tottenham endured a disastrous Premier League season that culminated in relegation.
The defender was sent off twice during the campaign and later missed the closing stages after suffering a knee injury.
There was also controversy surrounding Romero towards the end of the season when questions were raised about whether he would attend Tottenham’s crucial final league fixture against Everton because he had been expected to watch his boyhood club Belgrano face River Plate in Argentina.
Romero ultimately attended Tottenham’s match, but the episode added to the growing sense that his relationship with the club was nearing its conclusion.
The centre-back had also previously made public comments concerning Tottenham’s board, further fuelling speculation over his future.
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Atletico Get Their Long-Term Target
Atletico Madrid’s interest in Romero was not new. The Spanish club had been monitoring the defender for some time and were eventually able to secure his signature after Tottenham agreed to the sizeable transfer fee.
Romero’s preference was reportedly for a move to Atletico, despite interest from elsewhere.
Inter Milan and Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal were among the clubs linked with the Argentina international during the summer, but Atletico ultimately won the race.
The move also represents a return to La Liga for Romero, who previously played for Sevilla before establishing himself as one of Europe’s leading central defenders.
At Atletico, he will now join a club known for its defensive organisation and competitive edge, a style that could suit the aggressive and combative nature of his game.
Romero Leaves With Mixed Memories
Romero’s five years at Tottenham produced both memorable highs and difficult moments.
His performances for Argentina often demonstrated the level he could reach, while his contribution to Tottenham’s Europa League triumph secured his place in a significant chapter of the club’s history.
However, injuries, disciplinary problems and occasional controversy also became part of his Spurs story.
Ultimately, Romero leaves with 124 appearances, a major European trophy and the distinction of captaining Tottenham during their long-awaited return to silverware.
Now, his attention turns to Atletico Madrid, where he will be expected to become a key part of their defence and begin another chapter of his career in Spain.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
