Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has posted a farewell to fans ahead of confirming his move to Atletico Madrid.
Atletico have agreed a £34million deal in principle.
The Argentina international posted on Instagram: ‘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.**
Cristian Romero confirmed his Tottenham departure ahead of a move to Atletico Madrid
‘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 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.’
Daily Mail Sport reported Premier League champions Arsenal had contacted the agents of the Spurs captain over what the deal would be, but Tottenham were unaware of the Gunners’ interest and unwilling to sell 28-year-old Romero to their north London rivals.
The central defender was free to leave Spurs for the right price after the club bolstered their defensive ranks earlier in the transfer window.
The additions of Marcos Senesi on a free transfer and Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52m mean Roberto de Zerbi is well stocked for the season ahead.
