Very few players get the chance to leave for almost any club in Europe. Nico Williams had that chance and signed a deal with Athletic Club that runs until June 2035. That was the headline of 2025. The story of the season that followed was about his body: a groin problem that kept coming back, then a hamstring injury in May. The talent is not in doubt. The open question is whether he can stay on the pitch long enough to make the contract look as smart as it did on the day he signed.
The Basics, Checked
| Full name | Nicholas Williams Arthuer |
|---|---|
| Known as | Nico Williams |
| Born | July 12, 2002, in Pamplona, Spain |
| Age in 2026 | 24 |
| Nationality | Spanish, of Ghanaian family background |
| Height | About 1.81 m |
| Position | Winger, mostly on the left |
| Club and number | Athletic Club, No. 10 |
| Brother | Iñaki Williams, Athletic teammate and Ghana international |
| Contract | Reported to run until June 2035 |
| Market value (estimate) | Around €40 million in mid 2026 |
| Net worth (Icon Polls estimate) | $20 million to $25 million |
Pamplona, by Way of Ghana
Nico's parents, Félix Williams and María Arthuer, made the journey from Ghana to Spain before either of their sons kicked a ball professionally. That journey explains a lot about the brothers. Both have spoken with pride about their family, and when either of them talks about football, their parents come up quickly.
Nico was born in Pamplona and grew up alongside his older brother Iñaki. Both ended up at Athletic Club, a club famous for building its squad from players with Basque roots and upbringing. For a family that arrived from abroad, that sense of belonging carries real weight.
Two Brothers, Two Flags, One Attack
Iñaki is a senior figure at Athletic, respected for leadership and a famous run of consecutive league appearances. Nico is the explosive one. Internationally they went different ways: Iñaki plays for Ghana and Nico for Spain, and he won Euro 2024 with Spain, scoring in the final. None of that has weakened what they have together in Bilbao.
On the pitch the partnership is more than a nice story. When Athletic win the ball back, Iñaki's runs pull defenders away, and Nico gets room to carry the ball into space. It works the other way too. Opponents can't double up on one brother without leaving a gap for the other.
A Season Measured in Minutes
Nico's 2025/26 La Liga numbers were 6 goals and 3 assists in 1,687 minutes. Across all competitions he made 32 appearances, with 6 goals and 7 assists. On paper that's solid. In context it's a season spent stopping and starting.
The quality kept showing through. He still beat defenders one on one, still ran in behind, and still played on either flank, which makes him awkward to plan for. When he's fit and sharp, Athletic's attack gets much harder to predict. When he isn't, the team feels it.
Groin First, Then the Hamstring
The main problem was pubalgia, a painful condition around the groin and pelvis that is notoriously hard to shake off. It limited how often he could play and stopped him from putting together a proper run of matches. Then in May 2026 he suffered a moderate injury to his left hamstring, which ended his league season. At the time, the expectation was that he would be fit for the World Cup.
For a player who relies on sudden bursts of speed, these are the worst kinds of injuries. A winger can play through a lot. Groin and hamstring trouble is different, because it takes away the very thing that makes him dangerous. Fitness news changes fast, so Athletic Club's own updates are the most reliable source for his current availability.
Why 2035 Was the Real Statement
His 2025 renewal came after repeated interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs. Signing for a decade was a clear message from both sides: Athletic were not going to lose a homegrown star cheaply, and Nico wasn't in a hurry to leave. Reports say his release clause rises to around €100 million from 2026. Clause details can change, though, so treat official club statements as the final word.
Market value is a separate question. Estimates put him at around €40 million in mid 2026, which reflects the injury-hit season. Other valuation models rate him higher. A real transfer fee would depend on the length of his contract, the clause, his wages, Athletic's willingness to sell and how badly a buyer wanted him. No single public number captures all of that.
Salary and Net Worth, Handled Honestly
Athletic Club doesn't publish his salary. Media reports put him among the club's highest earners since the renewal, but the figures vary widely, and some probably include bonuses, image rights or amounts before tax. We won't pick one and call it fact. The fair summary is that he earns a top-level La Liga wage.
Icon Polls estimates Nico Williams' net worth at $20 million to $25 million in 2026. This is an editorial estimate, not a figure he has disclosed. It takes into account his contracts, his profile with Spain, major tournaments and his sponsorship appeal. It is not a bank balance, because taxes, costs and assets all affect the real number. For a 24 year old on a ten year deal, expect this estimate to keep changing.
The Part He Keeps to Himself
People search for "Nico Williams wife" all the time, but there is nothing verified to find. He isn't publicly known to be married, and he keeps his relationships private. Social media rumours will keep coming, but they aren't facts, and we're not going to treat them as if they were.
What the Next Stretch Asks of Him
His game has never been about waiting for the ball to find him. He takes it and runs: down the outside, or cutting inside when the gap opens. When his team is under pressure, he gives them a way out. That directness is why fans love him and why coaches pick him. The next step isn't about adding new skills. It's about playing enough matches in a row that people talk about his form instead of his fitness.
If you think the brothers from Bilbao belong in the bigger conversation, vote in our poll on the best football players of all time and see how your picks compare with other fans.
How old is Nico Williams?
He was born on July 12, 2002, which makes him 24 in 2026.
Does Nico Williams play for Spain or Ghana?
Spain. His brother Iñaki plays for Ghana.
When does his Athletic Club contract end?
His contract is reported to run until June 2035.
