Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero has confirmed his departure from north London to join Atletico Madrid for £34.2m, acknowledging in a farewell message that his five-year spell at the club “wasn’t perfect.” According to reports from the Daily Mail and Independent, the 28-year-old Argentina international leaves after making 156 appearances and helping the club secure the 2025 Europa League trophy, ending a 17-year drought.
Transfer Details and Financial Terms
Atletico Madrid agreed to pay £34.2m (reported as 40 million euros by the Independent) for the central defender, a package that includes a 15 per cent sell-on clause. Romero joined Tottenham from Atalanta in 2021 and established himself as a defensive mainstay, though his final season was disrupted by injuries and tension with supporters. According to the Daily Mail, Premier League champions Arsenal had contacted the player’s agents to gauge interest, but Tottenham were unaware of the approach and unwilling to sell to a north London rival.
Controversy Surrounding the Relegation Battle
Romero’s relationship with supporters grew strained toward the end of the campaign. Having suffered a knee injury against Sunderland in April that ruled him out of Tottenham’s final six Premier League matches, the defender caused an uproar by planning to travel to Argentina to watch his first club, Belgrano, play in the Primera Division Apertura final while Spurs fought against relegation. Although he subsequently flew back to England to attend the team’s 1-0 win over Everton that secured 17th place for the second consecutive season, the incident alienated a portion of the fanbase. According to the Independent, new manager Roberto De Zerbi ultimately gave the player the green light to leave.
Farewell Message to Supporters
Taking to social media, Romero reflected on his turbulent yet historic tenure in north London. “I know I wasn’t perfect,” Romero posted on X and Instagram, according to source reports. “But one thing gives me peace: I always gave everything. I defended this shirt with pride and with all my heart.” He added that lifting the Europa League trophy fulfilled a clear dream he held upon arrival. Romero will now link up with compatriot Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.
Did you know?
Cristian Romero was named man of the match in the 2025 Europa League final against Manchester United, securing Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Atletico Madrid pay for Cristian Romero?
Atletico Madrid agreed to pay £34.2m (40 million euros) for the 28-year-old defender, alongside a 15 per cent sell-on clause.
How many appearances did Romero make for Tottenham?
Romero made 156 appearances for Spurs across five seasons after signing from Atalanta in 2021.
Why did Romero upset Tottenham fans at the end of last season?
Fans were angered when Romero planned to travel to Argentina during a relegation battle to watch his former club, Belgrano, in a final, though he later returned to England to watch Spurs secure safety against Everton.
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