Cristian Romero has left Tottenham Hotspur to join Atletico Madrid, with both clubs confirming the transfer on August 16. According to ESPN sources cited by Football Espana, Spurs will receive a base fee of €35 million with a further €5 million in performance-related add-ons. The Guardian reported the overall package at around €40 million (£34.1 million), with Tottenham also inserting a 15% sell-on clause into the agreement. Romero has committed to a five-year contract with the Madrid club, running until June 2031.
The Argentine centre-back arrived at Spurs on loan from Atalanta in 2021 before the move was made permanent. Across five seasons he made 156 appearances and scored 13 goals. His tenure included a high point when he captained the side to Europa League success over Manchester United in Bilbao in 2025, ending a 17-year wait for silverware at the club.
A Difficult Final Season at Spurs
Romero’s last campaign in north London was far from smooth. Named permanent captain ahead of the 2025-26 season under new head coach Thomas Frank, he served four separate suspensions and made no secret of his frustration with the club’s board over its ambitions, according to The Guardian. A knee injury in April effectively ended his season while Spurs were in the relegation zone, and he flew to Argentina to continue his rehabilitation. His return was not without drama.
He came back only to sit in the stands for the final-day survival win over Everton, after sustained criticism from supporters, The Guardian noted. Tottenham ultimately finished 17th for the second consecutive season.
His departure follows Spurs’ summer signings of centre-backs Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, as new head coach Roberto De Zerbi undertakes a wide-ranging squad rebuild.
Reunited With Argentina Teammates at Atletico
Romero joins a dressing room that will feel familiar. Atletico Madrid are managed by fellow Argentine Diego Simeone, who Football Espana reported had spoken publicly about his admiration for the defender on multiple occasions. Three of Romero’s teammates from Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final are also at the club: Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone, and Juan Musso. Alvarez Tells Atletico Dressing Room He Got It Wrong Over Barcelona Move
He already knows the squad well. Speaking to his new club after completing the move, Romero said he was delighted to join such a significant club and that he intended to win trophies and make his mark in its history. He also described his style of play as well suited to Atletico’s demands and pointed to the presence of several Argentina teammates as an added draw, according to Football Espana.
What Romero’s Exit Means for Tottenham
The sale marks a significant moment in Tottenham’s summer of change. As The Guardian reported, the club has now said goodbye to their captain, with De Zerbi overseeing one of the most substantial squad overhauls the club has seen in years. Spurs had finished in the bottom half of the Premier League table twice running. A raft of departures and arrivals signals a deliberate shift in direction. The rebuild is real. Tottenham Target Balogun, Liverpool Push Hard for Barcola in Busy Transfer Day
For Romero, the move represents the Spanish football opportunity talkSPORT described as his dream destination. At 28, he heads to La Liga having already won a World Cup with Argentina and a European trophy with Spurs. The next chapter starts now.
