Cristian Romero bids emotional farewell to Spurs after moving to Atletico Madrid

Atlético Madrid have confirmed the signing of Cristian Romero from Tottenham on a five-year deal.

Captain Romero announced his departure from Spurs with an Instagram post on Friday night, where he admitted to not always being “perfect” in North London but insisted the club will always hold a place in his heart.

World Cup winner Romero inspired Tottenham to Europa League success in 2025 to end a 17-year trophy drought, but exits after collecting six red cards in 156 appearances and for an overall fee of 40 million euros (£34.1million), with a 15 per cent sell-on clause included in the deal.

A post shared by Atlético de Madrid (@atleti)

Romero said on Instagram: “I say goodbye to a place that, for five seasons, was much more than a club.

“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.

“I am 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.”

Romero joined Spurs in 2021 and helped the club qualify for the Champions League before he starred as Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar.

After relations soured with Antonio Conte, he built up a