Hello, Football fans! If you love following the Football and admire world-class, Nico Williams is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Nico Williams has emerged as one of the most electrifying talents in modern football, captivating audiences worldwide with his blistering pace, exceptional dribbling skills, and game-changing performances. From his humble beginnings in Pamplona to becoming a European champion and one of the most sought-after players in the world, his journey represents a remarkable testament to perseverance, family values, and unwavering commitment to his craft.
Nico Williams’ Biography
| Attribute | Information |
| Full Name | Nicholas Williams Arthuer |
| Nickname | Nico “The Magician” |
| Date of Birth | July 12, 2002 |
| Age | 23 years old |
| Birthplace | Pamplona, Navarre, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Height | 1.80 m (5’11”) |
| Weight | 67 kg |
| Turned Professional | 2020 |
| Net Worth | €9-11 million |
| Annual Salary | €13.2 million gross |
| Relationship Status | In relationship with Ainhi García |
| Children | N/A |
| Religion | Christian |
| @nicolas_williams9 | |
| Current Club | Athletic Bilbao |
| Jersey Number | 10 |
| Contract Until | June 30, 2035 |
Early Career
Nico Williams’ football journey began at the Athletic Bilbao youth academy in 2013, when he joined at just 11 years old. He progressed through the academy ranks with exceptional performances, showcasing his natural ability and competitive drive. Following his promotion to the reserve team in 2020, he made his senior debut for Basconia in the Tercera División.
His breakthrough came in 2020-21 when he joined Athletic Bilbao’s second team, where he scored nine goals in 24 appearances. His impressive form and consistent performances earned him a shot with the first team in the 2021-22 season, marking the beginning of his ascent to becoming one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.
Professional Career
Nico Williams made his Athletic Bilbao first-team debut on April 28, 2021, at just 18 years old, coming on as a substitute in a La Liga match. His official breakthrough arrived in the 2021-22 season when he became a regular fixture in the squad. On January 6, 2022, he scored his first senior goals—a brace against Atlético Mancha Real in the Copa del Rey—before delivering a winning goal in Athletic’s Supercopa de España semi-final victory over Atlético Madrid.
These early performances demonstrated his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations and marked him as a future star. His pace, dribbling ability, and versatility on both flanks made him a nightmare for opposing defenders. After establishing himself as a crucial player for the club, Williams signed his first professional contract in January 2022. He continued his upward trajectory, becoming integral to Athletic’s attacking play. In December 2023, facing speculation about moves to top European clubs like Barcelona and Liverpool, he signed a contract extension until 2027, reaffirming his commitment to his boyhood club.
Following his stellar performances and the arrival of new coach Ernesto Valverde, Williams’ consistency improved markedly in the 2023-24 season. His contributions were vital in Athletic’s Copa del Rey triumph, ending the club’s 40-year trophy drought. By July 2025, he demonstrated his unwavering loyalty by signing a groundbreaking 10-year contract extension until 2035, rejecting overtures from major European clubs and becoming synonymous with Athletic’s ambitious project.
Girlfriend
Nico Williams is currently in a relationship with Ainhi García, an accomplished AI expert and Computer Technology Engineering student who teaches at a vocational training center in Spain. The couple confirmed their relationship in December 2024 after being spotted together throughout the summer.
Garcia represents a departure from typical football WAG stereotypes, bringing intellectual credentials and a career in cutting-edge technology to their partnership. They frequently share glimpses of their relationship on social media, with Williams leaving supportive comments on Garcia’s professional achievements. Williams does not have any children.
Nico Williams’ Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Nico Williams’ estimated net worth stands at approximately €9 to €11 million. This wealth accumulation is primarily driven by his substantial salary at Athletic Bilbao, where he earns approximately €13.2 million gross annually (€10+ million net), making him one of the highest-paid players at the club. His weekly earnings amount to roughly £170,394. Beyond his club salary, Williams generates additional income through endorsement deals with premium brands including Nike and Red Bull.
With his long-term contract now locked in until 2035 and guaranteed high earnings with performance-based add-ons, his financial position continues to strengthen. His market valuation by Transfermarkt stands at approximately €70-71.7 million, reflecting his status as one of the most valuable young talents in world football.
Contract Details
In July 2025, Nico Williams signed a historic 10-year contract extension with Athletic Bilbao, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2035. This unprecedented long-term commitment replaced his previous contract, which was set to expire in 2027. The new agreement dramatically increased his salary to €13.2 million gross annually (with potential bonuses exceeding €10 million net), and raised his release clause to approximately €90-100 million starting from 2026—a significant increase from the previous €60 million clause.
The contract includes performance-based add-ons tied to goals, assists, and various other achievements. This deal represents the longest contract in Athletic Bilbao’s first-team history and demonstrates Williams’ deep commitment to the club, famously stating, “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. Aupa Athletic!”
Career Earnings
| Career Phase | Salary/Earnings | Period | Total Approximate |
| Youth Academy | Scholarship Benefits | 2013-2021 | Minimal (Development Phase) |
| Second Team | €50K-150K annually | 2020-2021 | ~€100K |
| Early First Team | €500K-1M annually | 2021-2022 | ~€750K |
| Rising Star | €2-3M annually | 2022-2023 | ~€2.5M |
| Established Star | €5-6M annually | 2023-2024 | ~€5.5M |
| Euro 2024 Winner | €8-10M annually | 2024-2025 | ~€9M |
| Current (2025-2026) | €13.2M annually (gross) | 2025-2035 | €13.2M+ yearly |
| Endorsements (Est.) | €1-2M annually | 2024-present | €1.5M+ yearly |
Endorsements
- Nike Football – Signed in 2024, joining an elite roster alongside Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior, making him one of the most prominently sponsored young footballers
- Red Bull – Became the first La Liga player to secure a sponsorship deal with the energy drink brand in 2025
- PUMA Football – Listed as a football partner (mentioned in official profiles)
- Athletic Bilbao Official Partnerships – Featured prominently in club marketing and merchandise campaigns
Career Records
| Achievement | Details | Date/Period | Opponent/Competition |
| Euro 2024 Final MOTM | Named Man of the Match, scored opening goal | July 14, 2024 | England |
| European Champion | Won UEFA Euro 2024 with Spain | Summer 2024 | Spain National Team |
| Copa del Rey Winner | Final MOTM, assisted winning goal | April 6, 2024 | Mallorca (1-1 draw, 4-2 penalties) |
| Ballon d’Or Nominee | 15th place finish in prestigious award | 2024 | Worldwide Recognition |
| Supercopa de España Winner Goal | Dramatic decisive goal in semi-final | January 2022 | Atlético Madrid |
| Euro 2024 Player of the Match | Two MOTM awards in tournament | June-July 2024 | Italy & England |
| First Senior Goals (Brace) | Copa del Rey opening brace | January 6, 2022 | Atlético Mancha Real |
| International Debut | Made senior debut for Spain | September 24, 2022 | Switzerland |
| First International Goal | Friendly victory | November 17, 2022 | Jordan (3-1 win) |
| La Liga Play of the Month | Monthly award nominations | 2023 | Across multiple months |
| Career Goals | Professional career total (2020-2026) | Throughout career | 45+ goals in all competitions |
| Career Assists | Professional career total | Throughout career | 38+ assists in all competitions |
FAQs
1. What is Nico Williams’ real name and why is he called “Nico”?
His full name is Nicholas Williams Arthuer. “Nico” is the diminutive form of Nicholas, commonly used in Spanish-speaking contexts. His surname Williams comes from his father, Felix Williams, who is of Ghanaian origin. The name Arthuer is his mother’s surname, María Arthuer.
2. How did Nico Williams’ parents come to Spain from Ghana?
His parents, Felix and María, fled Ghana during an economic crisis and extreme poverty. They traveled across the Sahara Desert on foot—over 4,000 kilometers—as part of a group of refugees seeking better lives. Remarkably, his mother was pregnant with his older brother Iñaki during this perilous journey without knowing it. After reaching safety in Melilla (a Spanish autonomous city in North Africa), they eventually settled in Pamplona and later Bilbao, where a local priest named Iñaki Mardones helped the family and inspired the naming of his older brother.
3. What makes Nico Williams stand out as a footballer compared to other young talents?
Williams possesses a rare combination of attributes: blistering acceleration and top-speed sprinting ability, exceptional ball control and dribbling skills, intelligent positioning and game awareness, versatility on both flanks, and remarkable composure in high-pressure situations. His Euro 2024 performance demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stages. Unlike many young talents, he combines raw athleticism with football intelligence, making him unpredictable and difficult to defend against.
4. Why did Nico Williams turn down Barcelona and stay at Athletic Bilbao?
Despite Barcelona making significant efforts to sign him in summer 2025, Williams chose to remain at Athletic Bilbao by signing a 10-year contract extension. His decision reflected his deep emotional connection to the club, his family ties (his brother Iñaki is the club captain), and his desire to build a legacy at the club where he grew up in the youth academy. He publicly stated that listening to his heart was more important than financial considerations, emphasizing that Athletic Bilbao is his home.
5. What is Nico Williams’ relationship status and personal life like?
Williams is in a relationship with Ainhi García, an accomplished AI expert and Computer Technology Engineering student. They confirmed their relationship in December 2024 and frequently share moments on social media. Unlike typical football personalities, García brings intellectual credentials to the relationship, working professionally in advanced technology fields. Williams does not have any children as of 2026.
6. How did Nico Williams perform at Euro 2024, and what awards did he win?
Williams had an exceptional Euro 2024 tournament, scoring key goals and providing crucial assists throughout Spain’s journey to victory. He was named Man of the Match in both the group stage match against Italy and the final against England. In the final, he scored the opening goal as Spain won 2-1. His performances earned him the tournament’s best young player recognition and significantly elevated his global profile.
7. What is the difference between his previous and current contract at Athletic Bilbao?
His previous contract, signed in December 2023, kept him at the club until 2027 with a €60 million release clause. In July 2025, he signed a groundbreaking 10-year extension until 2035 (the longest in club history) with a significantly increased salary (€13.2M gross annually) and a raised release clause of €90-100 million. This long-term commitment demonstrates his unwavering loyalty and Athletic’s confidence in his future.
8. How much does Nico Williams earn annually, and what is his net worth?
Williams earns approximately €13.2 million gross annually from Athletic Bilbao (€10+ million net), with additional income from endorsement deals with Nike and Red Bull worth approximately €1-2 million yearly. His estimated net worth in 2026 stands at €9-11 million. His weekly earnings amount to roughly £170,394. His earnings are among the highest for his age group in world football.
9. What endorsements and sponsorship deals does Nico Williams have?
Williams is sponsored by Nike, joining an elite group alongside Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior. He’s also the first La Liga player to secure a Red Bull sponsorship deal. Additionally, he maintains partnerships with PUMA Football and features prominently in Athletic Bilbao’s official marketing campaigns. These endorsements provide substantial additional income beyond his club salary.
10. What charitable work or community involvement does Nico Williams engage in?
Beyond football, Williams demonstrates social responsibility and family values. Together with his older brother Iñaki, he funded and renovated a school in Ghana located in Pokuase (formerly Abibiman Complex School), transforming it into a modern educational facility. This initiative reflects the brothers’ gratitude for their family’s journey and commitment to giving back to their ancestral homeland. The project stands as a testament to their values and their desire to create opportunities for underprivileged children.