Cristian Romero has acknowledged that he was not without flaws during his five seasons at Tottenham Hotspur, posting a heartfelt farewell message as he prepares to move on to Atletico Madrid.

The Argentina centre-back is set to complete a £34.2m transfer to Atletico Madrid at 28 years old, drawing a close to a chapter that brought both highs and significant lows at the north London club.

A turbulent final chapter

Romero's final appearance in a Spurs shirt came against Sunderland in April, when he hobbled off the pitch in tears after sustaining a knee injury. The setback ruled him out of the club's last six Premier League fixtures — a period during which Tottenham were battling to avoid relegation.

His relationship with supporters was also tested when news emerged that he had been planning to travel to Argentina for Spurs' final league match, intending to watch his boyhood club Belgrano compete in the Primera Division Apertura final. He ultimately reversed the decision and returned to England, witnessing a 1-0 victory over Everton that preserved the club's top-flight status — though a second successive 17th-place finish underlined a deeply disappointing campaign.

Trophy glory and a lasting legacy

Amid the turbulence, Romero's defining moment in a Spurs jersey stands apart: helping Tottenham lift the UEFA Europa League trophy in 2025, defeating Manchester United in the final. It was the club's first piece of silverware in 17 years.

The defender arrived from Atalanta in 2021 and went on to make 156 appearances for Spurs, establishing himself as one of their most combative and influential defenders.