Cristian Romero Joins Atlético Madrid in €40m Deal After 156 Spurs Appearances

Cristian Romero has completed a transfer to Atlético Madrid for a total fee of €40 million, ending a five-year stint at Tottenham Hotspur.

Cristian Romero has finalized a transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Atlético Madrid for a guaranteed fee of €35 million plus an additional €5 million in variables. The 28-year-old Argentina international departs north London after signing a five-year contract with the LaLiga side, where he will play under manager Diego Simeone. The move follows a five-year tenure at Spurs that began with a 2021 loan from Atalanta and concluded with 156 total appearances and 13 goals for the Premier League club.

During his time in England, the centre-back was cautioned frequently, collecting six red cards across all competitions. His stint included helping the team qualify for the Champions League and winning the World Cup in Qatar with his national team. Despite these highs, his final season was marred by four separate suspensions and a knee injury sustained in April 2026. While he served as the permanent captain during the 2025-26 campaign, the club struggled significantly, finding themselves in the relegation zone late in the year.

European Success and Managerial Changes

Romero’s legacy at Tottenham includes a period of continental triumph in Bilbao. His outstanding defensive displays were instrumental in securing European success for the club, which triggered an open-top bus parade attended by an estimated 200,000 supporters on the streets of Tottenham. However, the coaching staff saw rapid turnover during this era. After a breakdown in relations with Antonio Conte, Romero flourished under Ange Postecoglou, though he remained vocal about his frustrations with the board’s perceived lack of ambition during an injury-plagued 2024-25 season.

Postecoglou was dismissed weeks after the Bilbao victory, leading to the appointment of Thomas Frank. Romero publicly acknowledged Frank’s achievements despite what he described as "obstacles that will always exist." The Argentine’s departure was eventually sanctioned by new head coach Roberto De Zerbi following a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton that ensured the club’s Premier League survival.

Final Days in North London

The relationship between the defender and the Spurs fanbase became strained during the final week of the 2025-26 season. While recovering from a knee ailment, Romero was permitted to fly to Argentina for rehabilitation, a decision that drew heavy criticism from supporters. Although he returned to London to attend the decisive Everton match, the hierarchy opted to facilitate his exit to Spain.

In an Instagram farewell posted on Friday, Romero admitted he was not always "perfect" during his time at the club but maintained that Tottenham would always hold a place in his heart. The North London side has already moved to fill the void in their defensive line by completing the signings of centre-backs Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke this summer. The transfer to Atlético Madrid ends years of speculation linking the defender to the Spanish capital.