Cristian Romero unveiled at Atletico Madrid after arriving from Tottenham for 40 million euros

A new club, a new league, and the feeling of having made the right call. That's how Cristian "Cuti" Romero came across this Thursday at his official unveiling as an Atletico Madrid player, in a ceremony held at the club's facilities with president Enrique Cerezo by his side.

The center back arrived from Tottenham in a deal worth 40 million euros, closing out a saga that had been brewing for some time. Romero didn't hide it: his last few months in England weren't easy, and the chance to wear the red and white jersey was ultimately what convinced him to make the leap.

I'd been talking with my family for a while about wanting to make this change for myself and for them. The chance to join a great club like Atletico made me want it even more. It's an important day for us as a family, joining a huge club. I'm coming in with a lot of excitement and eager to get started, it's going to be a great season and I'm readyCristian Romero

The defender, who came up through Belgrano's youth ranks, already got a first taste of the atmosphere at the Metropolitano. It happened on Wednesday, when he watched from the stands as the team opened its league campaign with a 2-0 win over Malaga. Although he'd experienced it before as an opponent, seeing it up close and from the inside left a different impression.

"I've faced Atletico Madrid a few times. Whether we played at home or away, you could tell they play with that fan support that's so important for the club. Yesterday I saw it for the first time and it's impressive, that's why I'm so eager to already be competing alongside my teammates and the team. I hope I can live up to it," said the defender, well aware that the noise from the stands will now be working in his favor.

The ambition to leave a mark

Romero also didn't hide his personal goals with his new jersey. He spoke of his gratitude for the financial effort the club made to sign him, but also made clear he isn't here just to settle in: he wants titles, and he wants to be remembered by the fans.

I'm grateful for the effort this club made to bring me in, and now it's on me to repay all that trust that was invested in me. I'm coming in with that mindset, trying to leave my name written into the club's history, and I know the only way to do that is by winning something. Hopefully it happens this season, next season, or whenever I'm hereCristian Romero

It was also inevitable that he'd be asked about his countryman and now locker room teammate, Julian Alvarez, whose possible interest in a move to Barcelona has been generating buzz in recent weeks. Cuti preferred to talk about what he sees day to day in training, staying out of the transfer speculation.

"I see Julian doing really well. I got here five or six days ago and he's the same as always, a guy eager to keep scoring goals and entertaining people. I see him fully locked in and that makes me really happy," Romero said, closing out the session with his mind already on getting minutes with Atletico as soon as possible.