Cristian Romero reveals his Atalanta team-mate and ‘great friend’ Pierluigi Gollini helped to convince him to join Tottenham… and Giovani Lo Celso also offered advice while the pair were at the Copa America
- Centre back Cristian Romero has joined Tottenham on a season-long loan
- Spurs have an option to buy in a deal which could reach €55million (£46.7m)
- Romero helped Atalanta reach the Coppa Italia final and finish third in Serie A
- His performances earned him the division’s Defender of the Year award
New Tottenham centre back Cristian Romero has credited former Atalanta team-mate Pierluigi Gollini and compatriot Giovani Lo Celso with helping convince him to sign for the club.
The Argentinian has arrived in north London on a season-long loan, with the Premier League club possessing an option to buy which would see him move permanently for a deal worth up to €55million (£46.7m).
Romero enjoyed a stellar season alongside Gollini in Serie A last term, helping Gian Piero Gasperini’s men finish third, as well as taking them to the Coppa Italia final, with his performances earning him the honour of the Italian top flight’s Defender of the Year award.
Centre back Cristian Romero has joined Tottenham on a season-long loan from Atalanta
The 23-year-old said that his ‘great friend’ Pierluigi Gollini was really positive about the club
Giovani Lo Celso also praised the north London club while the pair were at the Copa America
Gollini arrived at Spurs two weeks ago – also with an option to buy – and Romero has spoken about the pair’s friendship in an interview with Tottenham’s in-house media team.
‘Pier as a player is doing an amazing career. He’s a great lad. We’ve enjoyed a lot. Now we have the chance to play together again. He’s really funny, a great friend and a crazy rapper,’ the 23-year-old laughed.
Goalkeeper Gollini even greeted Romero at the airport on his arrival.
‘Yes, he was there with a welcome sign. He was always texting me and telling me how great this club was. That was great and thankfully I could arrive here.’
The former Juventus defender also lavished praise on international team-mate Lo Celso, with the pair part of a squad that ended Argentina’s long wait for an international trophy by winning the Copa America this summer as they defeated Brazil 1-0 in the final.
‘I met Gio on my first international call-up. This Copa America was my first call-up for the senior team,’ Romero explained.
Romero helped Atalanta reached the Coppa Italia final as they also finished third in Serie A
Romero’s performances last season earned the Italian top flight’s Defender of the Year award
‘Everybody knows how good he is as a footballer, but also as a person he was great, telling me great things about the club.
‘Since yesterday he’s been helping me, introducing me to the lads and being my translator. It’s great to have another Argentinian here with me.
‘Gio showed me the facilities and everything, and I was impressed. I hope to pay back all the confidence that the club has in me and I will try to show that on the field.
Argentina won their first major international trophy since 1993 after beating Brazil in the final
(I’m) very happy to be here at this great club. From the first moment I got the call, I was sure it was the best option to keep on growing and improving.
‘I’ve started at five years old, and everything that I’m living right now has exceeded my expectations. It’s unbelievable.’
Romero’s first task will be trying to keep up champions Manchester City in the club’s Premier League opener next Sunday.