Cristian Romero has left Tottenham for Atletico Madrid in a €40m deal. The Argentina defender departs Spurs after five years and a historic Europa League triumph.
Cristian Romero has completed his move from Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid, bringing an end to a five-year spell in North London and opening a new chapter for the Argentina international.
Atletico have confirmed that Romero has signed a contract running until June 2031, with the transfer reportedly worth around €40 million (£34.3m) including add-ons.
The 28-year-old arrives in Madrid as the Spanish club’s fourth major signing of the summer after Alejandro Grimaldo, Kang-in Lee and Morten Hjulmand. His arrival also comes shortly after Atletico allowed fellow Argentina international Nahuel Molina to leave for Roma.
Welcome, Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero! 🔴⚪
Agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of the Argentine international defender, who signs for our club until 2031.
➡️ https://t.co/fglig2tNrL pic.twitter.com/O6UxFJHbIm
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 15, 2026
For Tottenham, however, Romero’s departure represents far more than the loss of another centre-back. The Argentine leaves as the club’s captain and as one of the most important figures in their recent history.
Romero joined Spurs from Atalanta in 2021 and went on to make 156 appearances for the club. Although his time in England was occasionally disrupted by suspensions, his aggressive style and defensive quality made him a key player.
His biggest achievement came in the 2024/25 campaign when Tottenham finally ended their long wait for silverware by beating Manchester United in the Europa League final. Romero was named Man of the Match and later received the UEFA Europa League Player of the Season award.
The defender’s departure therefore comes at a significant moment for Tottenham. After two consecutive seasons finishing 17th in the Premier League, the club have embarked on a major rebuild under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, and losing their captain adds another major change to the squad.
Romero’s farewell message reflected the complicated nature of his Tottenham career.
“I leave with a heart full of memories and enormous pride for everything we lived and achieved together.” He also acknowledged that the journey had not always been perfect, but made clear how much the club meant to him.
“Once I was one of you. Today, I leave as one of you forever.”
Cristian Romero passed his medical at the High-Performance Sports Medicine Center @cm_invictum of the Hospital Universitario @Vithas Madrid Arturo Soria 🩺 pic.twitter.com/PGBSgn1TAg
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 15, 2026
For Atletico, meanwhile, Romero represents an opportunity to add an experienced World Cup winner to their defence. The Argentine arrives having played at the highest level for both club and country, including featuring in Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final.
His arrival should also help Atletico compensate for Molina’s departure and strengthen a defensive unit that will be expected to compete domestically and in Europe.
