He played for four clubs during his professional career over 16 seasons – notably Deportivo which he helped win four major titles, including its only La Liga championship – amassing top-division totals of 396 games and 14 goals.

After having represented Valencia CF and RCD Mallorca, never appearing in less than 30 league matches during his spell at both clubs, Romero joined Deportivo de La Coruña in 1998.

There, he blossomed into an attacking left-back, notably playing 50 UEFA Champions League matches for the Galicians[3] and contributing 34 and one goal[4] in the 1999–2000 campaign as Depor won its first national championship.

[5] In summer 2006, after being ousted by younger Joan Capdevila – although he was a very reliable defensive unit, sometimes being deployed as central defender[6]– Romero signed with Real Betis.

[7] After a sole season, which coincided with the emergence of new signing Fernando Vega,[8] he opted to retire from professional football at the age of 36, having appeared in more than 500 competitive matches (nearly 400 in the Spanish top division).