Oriol Romeu is a talented Spanish professional footballer who is best known for playing with the La Liga club, Barcelona. He is famous for his playing position as a defensive midfielder. He started his football career at Barcelona, starting in their reserves for Barcelona B. In 2011, he moved to Chelsea in a €5 million transfer and subsequently spent time on loan at Valencia and VfB Stuttgart before joining Southampton. During his seven-year tenure at Southampton, Romeu made 217 appearances and scored 7 goals. In 2022, he returned to La Liga, signing with Girona, before finally rejoining Barcelona in 2023. On the international stage, Romeu represented Spain up to the under-21 level, and he was part of the under-17 team that secured victory in the 2008 European Championship. He also participated in the 2012 Olympics for Spain. Additionally, Romeu made one appearance for Catalonia in 2019.
Oriol Romeu is a Spanish footballer who is playing for the club, Barcelona as a defensive midfielder. He began his football career at Barcelona B before moving to Chelsea in 2011 and later having loan spells at Valencia and VfB Stuttgart. After a successful seven-year stint at Southampton, he returned to La Liga with Girona in 2022 before rejoining Barcelona in 2023.
Oriol Romeu was born on 24th September 1991. He hails from Ulldecona, Spain. Oriol Romeu Vidal is his birth name. He holds Spanish nationality and he belongs to Spanish-White ethnicity. He is 31 years old as of 2022. He is the son of his father, Miquel Romeu, and his mother, Cristina Vidal. He has not disclosed information about his siblings.
Oriol Romeu embarked on his football journey at local CF Ulldecona before joining FC Barcelona's youth academy in 2004, after being scouted from RCD Espanyol. It was under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola that Romeu made his debut for the senior team in a friendly against Kuwaiti side Kazma Sporting Club, which led to his inclusion in the squad for the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup held in Abu Dhabi. On 13th August 2010, he was part of the nineteen-man Barcelona squad for the Spanish Supercup's first leg against Sevilla, as some Spanish internationals were rested. In that competitive debut, Romeu played the entire ninety minutes in a 1-3 away defeat. Subsequently, on 15th May 2011, he made his first appearance in La Liga, playing the final ten minutes in a goalless draw against Deportivo de La Coruña, replacing fellow club youth graduate, Jonathan dos Santos.
On 22nd July 2011, reports began to emerge linking Oriol Romeu with a move to Chelsea. The following day, while away on international duty at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he agreed to terms for the transfer, pending a medical and personal agreement. On 4th August, Chelsea officially announced the completion of the transfer, with Romeu signing a four-year contract worth €5 million. The deal also included a buy-back option for Barcelona, allowing them to bring him back to Camp Nou for €10 million in 2012 or €15 million in 2013 if Chelsea deemed him surplus to requirements. Romeu was given the number 6 shirt for the new season. His official debut for Chelsea came on 10th September 2011, coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute in a 2-1 away win against Sunderland. He received his first start on the 21st in a 0-0 draw (penalty shootout win) against Fulham in the Football League Cup. Romeu's first UEFA Champions League appearance was on 19th October 2011, playing the full 90 minutes in a 5-0 group stage home win against K.R.C. Genk. His first start in the Premier League was on 26th November, putting in a solid performance in a 3-0 home win against Wolverhampton Wanderers. On 25th September 2012, Romeu scored his first goal for Chelsea, taking a penalty in a 6-0 win against Wolves in the League Cup. However, on 11th December, he suffered a knee injury in a game against Sunderland, which sidelined him for the rest of the season.
On 12th July 2013, he returned to Spain and joined Valencia on a season-long loan deal. He made his debut for the club on 15th September in a 3-1 defeat at Real Betis. In February, during training, Romeu suffered another knee injury that kept him out of action for a month. During his time with Valencia, he played a total of 18 games. On 17th July 2014, Romeu signed a new contract with Chelsea, extending his stay until 2017. However, on 4th August, he was loaned to VfB Stuttgart in Germany and made his debut for the team twenty days later in a 1-1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
On 13th August 2015, he joined Southampton for £5 million on a three-year deal. He made his debut two days later as a substitute in a 3-0 home defeat to Everton, earning a booking shortly after. Romeu scored his first goal for Southampton on 5th December, equalizing for a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa. He signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal in January 2017 and was voted the club's Player of the Season. In November 2020, he signed a contract extension until 2023. Despite picking up an ankle injury and undergoing surgery, he made an appearance on the final day of the 2020–21 season. On 1 September 2022, he completed a permanent transfer to Girona. On 19th July 2023, he returned to his former club, Barcelona, on a three-year contract.
Internationally, Oriol Romeu represented Spain in various age categories. In 2008, he played a crucial role in the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, helping Spain to win the tournament. After his professional debut for Barcelona in 2009, Romeu continued to feature prominently in the under-19 and under-20 national teams, notably participating in the 2010 UEFA Under-19 Championship elite qualification round. He also had a brief stint in the Spanish squad at the 2012 Olympics. In March 2019, Romeu received a call-up from Catalonia and made his debut as a substitute in a friendly match against Venezuela, contributing to their 2-1 victory.
Barcelona
Chelsea
Southampton
Spain U17
Spain U19
Individual
Oriol Romeu is a successful footballer with an estimated net worth between $5 million to $10 million as of 2023. He earns a substantial annual income in millions of dollars from his football career, which is his primary source of wealth. His notable transfers, including the €5 million move to Chelsea in 2011 and the £5 million switch to Southampton in 2015, have contributed to his financial success. Romeu will continue his career at Barcelona, having signed a three-year contract until June 2026, with a buyout clause of 400 million euros. His current market value is €5 million as of June 13, 2023. He enjoys a comfortable lifestyle and is content with his earnings from the sport.
Currently, Oriol Romeu remains unmarried and has not taken the plunge yet. It seems he is in a relationship with his girlfriend, though they both value their privacy and have been seen together at a friend's wedding, suggesting they might share a close bond. Oriol Romeu identifies as straight when it comes to his sexual orientation.
Oriol Romeu is a handsome and athletic footballer, standing at 1.83 meters (6 feet 0 inches) tall and weighing 83 kilograms. He has dark brown hair styled in a short length, complementing his brown eyes. Romeu takes good care of his physique and maintains a healthy body by engaging in frequent exercise and fitness routines.
Oriol kickstarted his football journey at Barcelona, where he spent most of his time playing for the club's reserves, Barcelona B. He made 45 appearances for Barcelona B from 2008 to 2011, scoring one goal. During the 2010-2011 season, he also got a chance to play for the senior team, making one appearance. On 19 July 2023, Romeu made a triumphant return to his former club, Barcelona, signing a three-year contract.
Oriol Romeu is primarily known for his role as a midfielder on the football pitch. Throughout his career, he has showcased his versatility and adaptability in the middle of the field, contributing to both the defensive and offensive aspects of the game. As a defensive midfielder, he excels in breaking up opponents' attacks, intercepting passes, and shielding the defense. His tactical awareness and ability to read the game have made him an asset in controlling the tempo and providing stability to his teams.
Oriol Romeu represented Spain at the 2012 Olympics. Competing as a member of the Spanish squad, he played a role in their campaign, which unfortunately ended with elimination from the group stage. Romeu contributed to the team's efforts by coming on as a substitute in their first match and starting in the last game. Despite the outcome, his participation in the 2012 Olympics remains a significant moment in his international football experience, representing his country at a prestigious global sporting event.
In March 2019, Romeu was called up by Catalonia in an international friendly match against Venezuela. He made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 2–1 win in Girona. The call-up marked a significant moment in his career as he made his debut for the Catalonia national team as a second-half substitute during the game held in Girona. This singular appearance in the Catalonia team showcased his dedication to football and his ability to contribute on the international stage.
Oriol Romeu, the talented footballer, has an intriguing passion for literature, making him stand out as an athlete with diverse interests. He showcased his literary side by penning an autobiography titled "La temporada de mi vida, el viaje interior de un futbolista" (The season of my life, the inside voyage of a footballer). This book delves into the inner journey of a footballer, providing readers with a unique perspective on his life both on and off the field.