Atlético Madrid have completed the signing of Argentina international centre-back Cristian Romero, ending the Tottenham Hotspur captain’s five-year stay in north London. The 28-year-old has signed a five-year contract running until the summer of 2031, with Spurs understood to have received a fee in the region of £34.2 million, plus a 15% sell-on clause.
Romero had captained Spurs throughout last season and all but confirmed his departure with a farewell message to supporters days before the move was finalised.
Romero departs Spurs a Trophy-Laden Captain
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Signed from Atalanta in 2021 after a season on loan, Romero went on to make 156 appearances for Spurs, scoring 13 goals and winning the 2024-25 Europa League. He picked up the competition’s Player of the Tournament award that season and was also singled out as the outstanding performer in the final, which brought Tottenham their first European trophy in 31 years. His international record is just as decorated. The 58-cap Argentina defender won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles, reaching a second World Cup final this summer.
[Alasdair Gold] Cristian Romero and Djed Spence depart Spurs for £34.2m and £30m packages respectively, including add-ons. Understand Romero has a 15% sell-on clause for future profit if Atletico sell him. Spence has a 10% sell-on but on the full amount if Inter sell him rather than just profit.
— Man Incognito (@sjbrewer.bsky.social) 15 August 2026 at 21:30
Tottenham had strengthened their defensive options before Romero’s exit, signing Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke this summer and handing Micky van de Ven a new long-term contract. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi had made clear he would not stand in Romero’s way, even as reports suggested that the defender’s relationship with supporters had cooled during a difficult 2025-26 campaign. It could be argued that the timing points to a mutual parting rather than a reluctant sale. Spurs had already lined up cover before a bid arrived, after all.
Romero’s own farewell message suggested that he was just as ready to move on as Spurs were to see the back of him. Considering the fee involved and the sell-on clause retained, this looks more like well-thought-through business than it does a forced sale. Romero remains short of full match fitness, though, and may have to wait for his Atlético debut until the visit of Villarreal on the 23rd of August or the trip to Sevilla six days later. Regardless, it gives him the opportunity to play in another country and Spurs the chance to recoup some of their summer spending.