Romero seals €40m Atletico Madrid move after turbulent final season at Spurs

Cristian Romero has completed a transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Atletico Madrid, with both clubs confirming the deal. Spurs will receive €35 million plus €5 million in add-ons for the Argentine centre-back, who has signed a five-year contract with Los Colchoneros.

Five seasons in north London

Romero arrived at Tottenham on loan from Atalanta in 2021 before making the move permanent, going on to make 156 appearances and score 13 goals. He helped Spurs qualify for the Champions League and was a key figure in Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar.

His final season was among the most turbulent of his career. Named permanent captain during the 2025-26 campaign, Romero served four suspensions and made repeated public criticisms of the club’s hierarchy over what he perceived as a lack of ambition. A knee injury in April cut his season short with Tottenham in the relegation zone, and a decision to allow him to fly to Argentina for rehabilitation drew a backlash from supporters. He returned in time to witness Spurs’ 1-0 win over Everton, which secured Premier League survival.

Despite the friction, Romero produced a run of outstanding performances that helped Tottenham claim European success in Bilbao — a fitting final chapter before his departure. New head coach Roberto De Zerbi ultimately gave him the green light to leave, ending years of reported links with Atletico.

Romero’s exit follows Tottenham’s summer signings of centre-backs Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, signalling a clear rebuild at the back.

Reuniting with Simeone and Argentina teammates

At Atletico, Romero links up with fellow Argentine Diego Simeone, who has managed the club since 2011. He also joins three teammates from Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final: Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone, and goalkeeper Juan Musso.

Speaking to his new club, Romero said he arrived with the same mentality he has always had and wanted to write his name into Atletico’s history by winning trophies. He described his aggressive, combative style as a natural fit for Simeone’s side and pointed to the presence of his Argentina teammates as a further draw.