Tottenham defender Cristian Romero confirms he is leaving the club

Cristian Romero has announced his departure from Tottenham and acknowledged he was not always perfect, but insisted the club will always hold a place in his heart. Romero has ended a five-year spell at Spurs to sign for Atletico Madrid in a €40 million deal ($46 million) with a 15% sell-on clause part of the overall package, the Press Association understands. Argentina international Romero divided opinion during his time at Spurs with multiple suspensions across 156 appearances, but he was awarded man of the match for a colossal display in the 2025 Europa League final against Manchester United, which ensured Tottenham brought a 17-year trophy drought to an end. "Today, I say goodbye to a place that, for five seasons, was much more than a club," Romero said on Instagram. He added: "It was my home, my challenge and the place where my family and I built such an important part of our lives." "I leave with a heart full of memories and enormous pride for everything we lived and achieved together." "When I arrived, I had a clear dream: to leave my name in this club's history. I knew the only way was through hard work, sacrifice and achieving something that had seemed so difficult for so long: lifting a trophy again. And we did it." "The journey wasn't perfect, but I don't want that to define my goodbye. I choose to remember the happy moments, the lessons, the people who stood by me and, above all, the love I received during these five years." "Thank you to everyone at the club who shared this journey with me." "Coaches, teammates, staff and every person working behind the scenes you are all part of my story and have a place in my heart." "And to the fans: Thank you for loving me, respecting me and making me feel like one of you from day one." "Thank you for every hug, every song, every flag, every applause and for always being there." "I know I wasn't perfect, but one thing gives me peace: I always gave everything. I defended this shirt with pride and with all my heart." "Thank you for everything." "I'm leaving the club, but a part of my heart will always remain here." "Once I was one of you. Today, I leave as one of you forever." "With all my love and respect." "Thank you for everything. And goodbye Spurs."