After weeks of negotiations, Tottenham Hotspur have finally announced the departure of one of their most senior players.Spurs have been among the busiest clubs during the summer window, as they continue making wholesale changes to the squad ahead of Roberto De Zerbi’s first full season in charge.The Lilywhites could have a new-look backline next season, with Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke arriving through the door earlier this summer.Those arrivals were a clear sign that there would be some big-name departures from Tottenham’s defence, and one of the biggest names in the squad has now officially exited N17.Credit: @paulnealon90 / InstagramCristian Romero leaves Tottenham to sign for Atletico MadridOver the past few days, several outlets have reported that Cristian Romero was edging close to a move to Atletico Madrid, despite only signing a new contract at Spurs last summer.Confirmation of the move has hardly been kept under wraps either. Romero himself took to social media on Friday to confirm his own Spurs exit before any official announcement.The Tottenham captain said: ‘Today, 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.‘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 Tottenham 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, Tottenham.’Tottenham have now confirmed that the experienced centre-back, who was made club captain last summer, has now completed a move to the Metropolitano Stadium.This move brings to an end Romero’s five-year spell in North London, with the centre-back leaving as a Europa League winner.A statement on Tottenham’s official X account read: “We have reached agreement with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Cristian Romero. Wishing you all the best, Cuti”We have reached agreement with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Cristian Romero.Wishing you all the best, Cuti 🤍 pic.twitter.com/YgRkod17cv— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 15, 2026How will Spurs fans remember Romero?There is no doubt that talent-wise, the Argentine was one of the best central defenders to have played for the Lilywhites in their recent history.However, there will always be a feeling of ‘what if’ about Romero’s career at Tottenham, with many supporters understandably feeling that he never showed the same commitment to the club as he did for his national side.Reports of Romero having major disciplinary issues last season, after being made club captain, mean he will certainly not be remembered as a Spurs legend despite helping end the club’s 17-year trophy drought.Romero’s £30m sale takes Tottenham up to £154.2m this summer. But if we include the sales of both Romero and Spence, Tottenham have now actually only spent £52.8m net, despite signing £237m worth of new talent.Tottenham net spendFeeIncomingsAndrew RobertsonFreeMarcos SenesiFreeMartin DubravkaFreeJan Paul van Hecke£52mMateus Fernandes£85mSandro Tonali£100mTotal spent£237mOutgoingsLuka Vuskovic£50mWill Lankshear£20mRadu Drăgușin£21mAlejo Veliz£7.7mAlfie Devine£6mTynan Thompson£8mManor Solomon£7mCristian Romero£34.1mDjed Spence£30mTotal received£184.2mTottenham’s net spend£52.8mREAD MORE: How Lucas Bergvall has reacted to De Zerbi’s coaching at Tottenham in pre-seasonThe post Tottenham’s summer sales soar to £154.2m after latest official exit announcement appeared first on Spurs Web.