Nico Williams Extends His Contract with Athletic Club: What’s Next?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Nico Williams has extended his contract with Athletic Club for an additional eight years.
- His new contract will keep him in Bilbao until 2035.
- Williams is recognized as one of Europe's promising young forwards.
- He has made significant contributions to the team, scoring 31 goals so far.
- His decision reflects his commitment to his club and community.
Bilbao, July 4 (NationPress) Spanish forward Nico Williams has secured an eight-year contract extension with Athletic Club. His prior agreement, which was set to expire in 2027, has now been extended, ensuring his stay in Bilbao until June 30, 2035.
Williams stands out as one of the most thrilling young forwards in Europe, notably during Spain's triumph in the 2024 European Championship. Both FC Barcelona and Arsenal had expressed interest in the 22-year-old.
Reportedly, Barcelona had shown significant interest and had reached personal terms with Williams, pending only the activation of his release clause. However, the club announced that Nico's new deal includes an increase of over 50% in the release clause compared to the previous one.
"When it comes to making decisions, for me, the most important thing is to listen to your heart. I am where I want to be, with my people, this is my home," stated the red and white winger in a video shared on the club's social media.
Williams joined Athletic Club at a young age during the 2013/14 season, a year after his brother Inaki joined Lezama. He has progressed through all training stages at Athletic and made his debut as a Lion on April 28, 2021, at the age of 18.
In his five seasons with the first team, he has accumulated 167 official appearances and has celebrated winning a Copa title, alongside qualifying for the Europa League (where the team reached the semi-finals) and the Champions League last season.
Williams' impact on Athletic in recent years has been pivotal, enhancing the Lions' attack with his speed and agility, netting a total of 31 goals. In his 28 matches for La Roja, he has scored six times.