Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has ended months of speculation surrounding his future by signing a new 10-year contract with the Basque club. The 22-year-old, who played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, has extended his stay at San Mamés until June 2035, effectively ruling out a summer move to Barcelona or Bayern Munich.
Williams had been heavily linked with a switch to La Liga rivals Barcelona, with reports emerging last month that the Catalan giants had agreed personal terms with the player. German powerhouse Bayern Munich were also rumoured to be tracking his progress. However, the Spain international has opted to remain with the club that nurtured him through its youth ranks and launched his professional career.
His previous contract was due to expire in 2027, but the new deal not only secures his long-term future with Bilbao but also significantly increases his release clause. Though the club has not disclosed the exact figure, reports suggest that the clause—previously set at €62m—has now risen by 50%, meaning any suitor would have to pay over €90m (£78m) to sign him.
“When decisions have to be made, for me, what weighs most is the heart,” Williams said. “I’m where I want to be, with my people. This is my home.”
Williams makes 167 appearances
He has come through Athletic Bilbao’s academy, playing alongside his older brother Iñaki, and made his senior debut in 2021 at the age of 18. Since then, he has amassed 167 appearances and scored 31 goals, helping the team secure a top-four finish in La Liga last season and Champions League qualification for the 2025-26 campaign.
His performances on the international stage further elevated his profile. At Euro 2024, Williams was instrumental in Spain’s run to the title, scoring the opening goal in the final against England in a 2-1 victory. That achievement added weight to the growing demand for his signature among Europe’s elite clubs.
Barcelona’s interest in Williams had reached a point where Athletic fans began removing his image from murals in Bilbao, assuming a departure was imminent. The tension escalated further when Athletic publicly questioned Barcelona’s financial capability to register new players under La Liga’s strict “1:1 rule”—a regulation that limits spending to match a club’s income.
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