Cristian Romero bids farewell to Spurs ahead of Atletico Madrid move

Cristian Romero has said goodbye to Tottenham Hotspur, with a move to Atletico Madrid now all but sealed pending a medical examination. The deal, reportedly worth around €40 million ($46 million) including performance-related add-ons, closes the book on a turbulent but significant chapter of Romero’s career in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old Argentine centre-back posted a farewell message to Spurs supporters ahead of the transfer’s completion, marking the end of a five-year stint that began in 2021. He leaves with a contract that still had three years left on it, a detail that gave Tottenham meaningful leverage at the negotiating table.

The deal breakdown

The agreement between the two clubs was reached on August 12-13, 2026, after Romero signed off on personal terms with the La Liga side. Beyond the headline fee, Tottenham secured a 15% sell-on clause, meaning they’ll get a cut if Atletico eventually flips their new defender for a profit.

For Atletico, Romero becomes the club’s fourth summer signing under Diego Simeone, who has reportedly been tracking the defender for some time. The Spanish club moved quickly after previous negotiations with Inter Milan fell through, seizing an opportunity that might not have come around again soon.

Why Spurs let their captain leave

Romero picked up four suspensions over the course of the season, a number that would test any manager’s patience. When you factor in the managerial upheaval that Spurs endured during that same period, the relationship between club and player started to fray.

That said, there’s no denying what Romero brought to the club during his best stretches. When he arrived from Atalanta in 2021, he quickly established himself as one of the most aggressive and technically gifted centre-backs in the Premier League. His ball-carrying ability set him apart from most defenders in England, and his willingness to step into challenges made him a fan favorite almost immediately.

What this means for both clubs

For Atletico Madrid, the signing addresses a position of need while adding a player who already operates at an elite level. Romero won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 and has been a regular in the national team setup throughout his time in England.

For Tottenham, the $46 million fee plus sell-on clause represents a reasonable return on a player who, despite his quality, had become a complicated presence in the squad.

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