Nico Williams has let Barça down once again. In a move nobody expected, the Navarrese winger has ended up renewing his contract with Athletic Club until 2035. This has been directly confirmed by the Basque club, making the renewal official through a statement on its social media.
In this, we can see Nico Williams painting his famous mural in Barakaldo, with his head covered and adding a number to it: 2035.
After that, he took off his hood and, in Athletic Club's offices, he said: " When decisions have to be made, for me what matters most is the heart. I'm where I want to be, with my people. This is my home. Aupa Athletic!"
Nico Williams signs for 10 more years
In its official statement, Athletic Club has highlighted that Nico Williams will stay at San Mamés until 2035, also increasing his release clause. From the current 58 million euros, it has increased "by 50%" more.
This has been Athletic Club's full statement:
"This new show of loyalty marks a milestone in the red-and-white history and proves a path of trust in the sports project. Already started by, among other teammates, Unai Simón, Oihan Sancet, Dani Vivian, Mikel Jauregizar, Beñat Prados, or Ernesto Valverde himself... and, of course, his brother Iñaki Williams, the captain of this team that is already historic and generational. He'll keep wearing the number 10 inherited from Iker Muniain, with the Champions League as a new stage. His step forward in the face of dizzying offers is a resounding success for Athletic Club, a true Athletic WIN (Williams, Iñaki and Nico) in every sense.
Ambitious lions who not only want to win, but also want to do it with Athletic. With the team of their heart, aware that in sports, the greater the difficulty, the greater the merit of victory, #UniqueInTheWorld.
Nico Williams joined Athletic Club as an under-12 in the 2013/14 season, a year after his brother Iñaki arrived at Lezama. Since then, he has completed every stage of development at Athletic until his debut as a lion on April 28, 2021, at just 18 years old. In his 5 seasons so far with the first team, he has played a total of 167 official matches and has won one Copa title. He has also helped the team qualify for the Europa League (where the team reached the semifinals) and for the Champions League this past season.
Nico Williams's contribution to Athletic in recent seasons has been decisive. He has made a difference offensively thanks to his dribbling and speed, scoring 31 goals, creating numerous chances, and being a constant nightmare for opposing defenses.
Beyond his formidable performance on the field, Nico Williams's international profile has been immense, making him a valuable ambassador for the Athletic brand. For example, by being named MVP of the Euro 2024 final (where he became champion with the Spain national team) or by making the list of Ballon d'Or nominees (15th place).
Athletic Club's sports philosophy, freely chosen, is a singularity that fills the club, its social base, and its fans with pride. The step forward Nico has taken with this renewal fills the whole family with pride and draws a future as ambitious as it is exciting.
This is the famous Athletic, the famous Athletic Club."