Tottenham have made their biggest signing of the summer with Cristian Romero's new contract | OneFootball

The defender is among the best in the world in his position

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Thomas Frank did not have to wait long to get one of his big wishes as Tottenham head coach.

It comes a week on from Romero being named as Spurs' new club captain to replace Heung-min Son, and ends any speculation over his future.

For all the talk of what transfer business Spurs might do in the final weeks of the window, agreeing a new deal with Romero is as major a statement as any signing they will make.

Cristian Romero guided Tottenham to glory last season

Getty Images

Just a few months ago, the smart money appeared to be on a summer departure. Atletico Madrid were interested in Romero, who had only two years left on his previous contract and did little to inspire confidence that he saw his long-term future in north London.

"LaLiga is the one [league] left to play in. I would love to, to tell you the truth," Romero said in an interview in April. "I would love to play there because it's the league I'm missing."

By signing a new contract at Spurs through to 2029, by which point he will be 31, Romero is set to give his peak years to the club in a significant show of faith.

Having rarely conducted interviews in English in his four years at Spurs, he has now done so twice in a matter of days. There have been accusations that Romero appeared at his most committed when representing Argentina, but the past week has put him front and centre of a new era at Spurs.

"I'm very happy here in the club," Romero said after the contract news was made official. "For me, this club is the best in the world.

I'm very happy here in the club. For me, this club is the best in the world

Cristian Romero

"My message to the fans is thank you for your amazing support every day and every match. For me, and it's important also for the team."

Romero has the strongest case of any Spurs player to being one of the best players in the world in his position.

The responsibility of being vice-captain under Ange Postecoglou brought more consistency and less of the rash, volatile displays that there were too many of earlier in his career.

While those traits can still rear their head, usually in the form of a charge out of defence and a crunching challenge, Romero has a history of rising to the occasion and more of that can be expected as captain.

He has won three major trophies with Argentina. Wearing the captain's armband in May, Romero was named player of the match as he led Spurs to victory in the Europa League final.

Cristian Romero is among the best defenders in the world

Adam Davy/PA Wire

The UEFA Super Cup last week was a rare final defeat, but Romero was still a rock in defence and scored his side's second goal.

That mentality of delivering on the biggest stage is a crucial trait and one this young Spurs squad did not have much of before winning the Europa League.

With Romero here to stay, the chances of a repeat of that night in Bilbao have certainly gone up.

"I love football, I love this club," Romero said.

"After winning the Europa League, it's like a special season now. In football, sometimes there are good moments, bad moments. The most important thing for me is to stay all together.

"We want to win. Maybe, why not again this season? Another trophy with the club is important for everyone."