Spain international winger Nico Williams has committed his long-term future to Athletic Club by signing a new 10-year contract with the Basque outfit, ending months of speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona or Bayern Munich.
The 22-year-old’s previous deal was due to expire in 2027, but Athletic confirmed on Friday that Williams has extended his stay until June 30, 2035.
The club also revealed that his release clause—previously believed to be €62 million (£53m)—has been increased by 50%, now reportedly standing at around €90 million (£78m).
“When decisions have to be made, for me, what weighs most is the heart. I’m where I want to be, with my people. This is my home,” Williams said in a statement released by the club.
Williams, who came through the youth ranks at Athletic alongside his older brother Iñaki, made his first-team debut in April 2021 at the age of 18.
Since then, he has amassed 167 appearances and scored 31 goals, playing a key role in the team’s fourth-place finish in La Liga last season and their qualification for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.
He was also a standout performer for Spain during Euro 2024, scoring in the final as La Roja defeated England 2-1 to claim the continental crown.
The announcement of his renewal comes shortly after strong reports that Barcelona had agreed personal terms with the player.
The Catalan club had publicly declared Williams a transfer priority, with both sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta indicating their desire to bring him to the Nou Camp.
However, financial constraints related to La Liga’s strict “1:1 rule”—which restricts clubs from spending more than they earn—posed a major hurdle.
Barcelona’s hopes of including unbuilt VIP stadium seats as projected income were rejected by La Liga, casting doubt on their ability to register Williams if signed.
Athletic Bilbao had earlier expressed concerns, requesting transparency from La Liga about Barcelona’s spending power following public comments from Deco.
In the wake of the stalled negotiations, some Athletic supporters had removed Williams’ image from a mural featuring him and his brother in protest.
However, the winger’s decision to stay appears to have reversed that narrative, reaffirming his loyalty to the club.
Williams’ new 10-year deal reflects a growing trend in football of securing elite players on ultra-long-term contracts. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland signed until 2034, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer recently extended his contract until 2033.
Such deals have gained traction despite UEFA and Premier League rules—introduced in 2023—limiting the amortization of transfer fees to five years for accounting purposes.
The last player of major prominence to sign such a long contract in La Liga was Andrés Iniesta, who penned a lifetime deal with Barcelona in 2017 before departing for Japan the following year.
For now, Williams remains a cornerstone of Athletic’s future as they prepare for European competition and look to build on a successful domestic campaign.