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Cristian Romero has said he “wasn’t perfect” during his five years with <\/b>Tottenham Hotspur<\/b><\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n The Argentina centre-back is set to complete a move to Atletico Madrid after they agreed to pay Spurs \u00a334.2m<\/a> for the 28-year-old.<\/p>\n Romero’s last game for Tottenham<\/a> was against Sunderland<\/a> in April, when he left the field in tears<\/a> with a knee injury that would rule him out of Spurs’ last six Premier League games.<\/p>\n The team were in a relegation battle and Romero upset fans by planning to be in Argentina for their final game, to watch his first club Belgrano play in the Primera Division Apertura final.<\/p>\n He ultimately returned to England to attend Spurs’ 1-0 win over Everton<\/a>, which meant they stayed up and finished 17th for a second consecutive season.<\/p>\n “I know I wasn’t perfect,” Romero posted on X., external<\/span><\/a> “But one thing gives me peace: I always gave everything. I defended this shirt with pride and with all my heart.”<\/p>\n Romero joined Tottenham from Atalanta<\/a> in 2021 and became a mainstay in their defence, making 156 appearances.<\/p>\n His best moment with Spurs was helping the club win their first trophy in 17 years as they beat Manchester United<\/a> in the 2025 Europa League final.<\/p>\n “When I arrived, I had a clear dream: to leave my name in this club’s history,” Romero added.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “With all my love and respect. Thank you for everything.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n