Spurs share clear message confirming Cristian Romero has left the club
Tottenham Hotspur kept their message short when announcing that their captain, Cristian Romero, is leaving the club. After a summer of back and forth about his role and future at Spurs, this news isn’t too surprising.
Romero came to Tottenham from Atalanta in 2021, with the club paying £42.5 million for him. Over five seasons, he became a key player, making 156 appearances. When Heung-min Son left in August 2025, Romero was named captain, showing how important he was to the team.
But now, just a year later, his move to Atletico Madrid has been confirmed, and Spurs’ message about his departure was very brief. The club wrote on X, “We have reached agreement with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Cristian Romero. Wishing you all the best, Cuti.”
Romero’s last game for Tottenham was in April, during a match against Sunderland, where he got a knee injury and had to leave in tears. This injury kept him out of Spurs’ last six Premier League games.
Fans had mixed reactions. One said, “Only two sentences for our club captain. It feels like Spurs are just relieved he’s gone.” Another said, “A long goodbye would have been better for our European-winning captain.” Someone else added, “I didn’t expect Romero to leave so coldly after everything.”
Atletico Madrid paid £34.2 million for the 28-year-old defender, who has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish club.
Romero himself shared his feelings on X, writing, “Today, I say goodbye to a place that was much more than a club for five seasons. It was my home, my challenge, and where my family and I built a big part of our lives.” He thanked the club and fans, saying, “I leave with a heart full of memories and pride for everything we achieved. When I arrived, my dream was to make history here, by working hard and helping lift a trophy again—and we did that.”
He also addressed the tough parts of his journey, saying, “It wasn’t perfect, but I want to remember the happy moments, the lessons, and the love I received during these five years.” He added, “I wasn’t perfect, but I always gave my all. I played with pride and heart.”
Earlier this summer, Spurs signed Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, who’s expected to step into Romero’s spot on the team.