Cristian Romero has refuted suggestions he wanted to leave Tottenham before signing a new long-term contract and being appointed club captain last month.

Romero committed his future to the club until 2029 in August, having taken the armband following Son Heung-min's move to MLS side Los Angeles FC.

He has started every game under new boss Thomas Frank, helping Spurs win three of their first four games of the Premier League season to nil, the first time they have accomplished that feat since 2017-18 under Mauricio Pochettino.

Speaking on the eve of Spurs' return to the Champions League, against Villarreal on Tuesday, Romero said reports linking him to Atletico Madrid were always wide of the mark.

"I never said I wanted to leave the club. Nothing came from me to that effect. It is important what the manager and president say," Romero said. 

"I am very happy here, it is like a family. I like the manager. I like the way we work, the way we train. 

"Things can always improve, but I think everyone here is taking the right steps to improve. I am very happy here."

Having joined Spurs, initially on loan, from Atalanta in 2021, Romero endured three trophyless campaigns before contributing to last season's Europa League triumph.

The defender – who had publicly criticised Spurs' failure to compete for silverware in the past – wore the armband in that game, with Son starting on the bench.

"I did a lot of interviews which seemed like I was talking badly about people inside the club, but in the end I'm a person who sometimes makes mistakes and that's it," he added.

"I always want the best for the club. Sometimes, things have been said that aren't true as well, but always everything I said is because I want there to be a structure of a club that can be at the top level, as one of the big clubs.

"That's why I was sometimes so angry before, but today I see a very, very organised club with a clear idea and a coach who is organising things. Everyone is seeing that in a short space of time."