Cristian Romero’s time in North London has officially come to a close. Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of the Tottenham Hotspur captain on a five-year contract in a deal worth €40 million, with Spurs securing a valuable 15% sell-on clause.
Cristian Romero’s Transfer
The €40m package includes add-ons, and Romero’s new contract will keep him at Atletico Madrid until June 2031. After Tottenham finished 17th in the Premier League for two straight seasons, the World Cup-winning Argentine was eager to test himself in Spain. In addition to the upfront fee, Spurs successfully secured a 15% sell-on clause, ensuring they will profit from any future transfer involving their former captain.
Romero’s exit was discussed throughout the summer transfer window. Inter Milan explored a deal for the defender in July, but negotiations did not progress. Arsenal also discussed a potential move, but Tottenham refused to sell their captain to a bitter rival under any circumstances. There was also brief interest from Barcelona, but the club decided not to proceed.
¡Bienvenido, Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero! 🔴⚪
Acuerdo con el Tottenham Hotspur para el traspaso del defensa internacional argentino, quien firma por nuestro club hasta 2031.
➡️ https://t.co/38a4bw3DBW pic.twitter.com/8yapwP9UBH
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 15, 2026
How Did Romero Perform at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Romero’s market value remained strong following a solid showing at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup. He helped the Argentina national football team reach the final, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time. In the seven matches played, he scored one goal and saw two yellow cards, one in the semi-final against England and one in the final.
Born in Cordoba, Argentina, in 1998, Cristian Romero began his career with Belgrano before moving to Europe with Genoa. After a spell at Juventus and loans at Genoa and Atalanta, where he was named Serie A’s best defender, he joined Tottenham permanently in 2021. Romero made 156 appearances for Spurs, scoring 13 goals and winning the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League. He has also earned 58 Argentina caps and won major international honours.
