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Article Summary
Nico Williams is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a winger for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao and the Spain national team. Born Nicholas Williams Arthuer in Pamplona on 12 July 2002 to Ghanaian parents who made a treacherous journey across the Sahara as refugees, Williams joined Athletic Bilbao’s youth academy in 2013 and made his first-team debut in 2021. He won the Copa del Rey with Athletic in 2024 and was a member of Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024-winning squad. At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he came off the bench in the final to provide the decisive assist for Ferran Torres’s extra-time winner against Argentina. Known for his blistering pace, dribbling, and creativity, he has signed a historic contract with Athletic Bilbao until 2035 worth up to €10 million net annually. He is the younger brother of Iñaki Williams, who represents Ghana internationally. He is in a relationship with Ainhize Legarreta Garcia. His net worth is estimated to be between $15 and $20 million individually.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Club Career
- International Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Awards
- Career Timeline
- Career Statistics
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nicholas Williams Arthuer |
| Born | 12 July 2002 |
| Birthplace | Pamplona, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Age | 23 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Position | Winger |
| Current Club | Athletic Bilbao |
| Jersey Number | 10 |
| Brother | Iñaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao, Ghana NT) |
| Partner | Ainhize Legarreta Garcia |
| Net Worth | Estimated $15-20 million |
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Williams Arthuer was born on 12 July 2002 in Pamplona, Spain. He is the younger brother of Iñaki Williams, who also plays for Athletic Bilbao.
Williams’s parents made a grueling journey from their native Ghana as refugees seeking a better life. They traveled 2,000 miles across the Sahara Desert to Melilla, a Spanish enclave on Morocco’s northern coast, often barefoot and in extreme heat. Upon reaching Spanish territory, they climbed the Melilla border fence and were initially detained. A lawyer advised them to claim they were from war-torn Liberia, and they were subsequently allowed to remain. The lawyer had connections in Bilbao, opening the door for the couple to travel there, where a man who the elder Williams brother would later be named after helped them. Within months, the parents welcomed young Iñaki into the world.
Nico Williams has spoken about his parents’ sacrifices: “They came from Ghana, and I think it was a difficult situation to leave their family and friends there without knowing anything about Spain. In the end, they were very well received by a man called Iñaki. From a young age, I learned what suffering is. I learned how to share those values that other people don’t have. Thanks to my parents, I have them. I’ve never lacked anything because they’ve always been there for me.”
Their father even spent a period in London working as a maintenance electrician, including at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium. “Yes, it’s a very strange story,” Nico says. “But my dad was there, he was working as a maintenance electrician and things like that.”
Williams began his youth career with CD Pamplona in 2010, spent a season at Osasuna’s academy, and joined Athletic Bilbao’s youth setup in 2013.
Club Career
Early Career
Williams progressed through Athletic Bilbao’s youth system. He made appearances for CD Basconia, Athletic’s farm team, in the 2019-20 season, and for Bilbao Athletic, the reserve team, in 2020-21, scoring 9 goals in 24 appearances.
Athletic Bilbao First Team (2021-Present)
Williams broke into the Athletic Bilbao first team in 2021. He has since made 157 top-flight appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals.
In the 2023-24 season, he played a key role in Athletic Bilbao’s Copa del Rey triumph, winning his first senior trophy with the club.
In July 2025, Williams signed a historic long-term contract extension with Athletic Bilbao. The deal runs until 30 June 2035. Under the agreement, he earns a net salary of approximately €7 million per season, which can rise to as much as €10 million with bonuses. His contract includes a release clause understood to be worth around £77 million (€90 million), with some reports suggesting it could rise to €100 million.
In the 2025-26 La Liga season, Williams made 20 starts and 5 substitute appearances, scoring 6 goals and providing 3 assists. Across all competitions, he made 25 appearances, scoring 6 goals. However, his club season was disrupted by injuries.
International Career
Williams represented Spain at the U18 and U21 levels before making his senior debut for Spain in 2022.
He was a member of Spain’s 2022 World Cup squad and played a key role in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 victory, forming a formidable attacking partnership with Lamine Yamal.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Williams was selected for Spain’s 2026 World Cup squad. However, he arrived at the tournament carrying a groin strain and was not fully fit for much of the competition.
He started Spain’s opening match against Cape Verde on the bench as he continued his recovery, and his absence was felt as Spain could only draw. He suffered a further injury during the group-stage match against Uruguay, which kept him out of subsequent matches.
Williams returned to fitness as Spain progressed through the knockout stages. In the final against Argentina on 19 July 2026, he came on as a substitute. In the 106th minute of extra time, Williams won an aerial duel and headed the ball across to Ferran Torres, who fired home the winning goal. Williams had earlier had a goal ruled out for a foul in the buildup. Spain won 1-0, securing their second World Cup title.
After the final, Williams dedicated Spain’s World Cup triumph to his idol Neymar. As of the final, he has earned 36 caps and scored 6 goals for Spain.
Major Achievements
Athletic Bilbao
Spain National Team
Individual
- 2026 World Cup final assist
Personal Life
Williams has been in a relationship with Ainhize Legarreta Garcia since 2024. They met through Williams’s younger sister, who was friends with Legarreta. Legarreta was born in 2003 in Mungia, Bizkaia. She studied artificial intelligence engineering at the University of the Basque Country. She is a year younger than Williams. She attended the 2026 World Cup to support Williams.
Both Williams brothers have been subjected to racist insults in Spain. Iñaki Williams chose to play for Ghana’s national team, while Nico has been a regular in Spain’s squad.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Nico Williams is celebrating Spain’s World Cup triumph, having provided the decisive assist in the final. He is currently under contract with Athletic Bilbao until 2035.
Arsenal have revived their interest in signing Williams this summer, with his £77 million release clause seen as a key factor in any potential deal. The Premier League is said to appeal to the player.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026-27 La Liga season | Starts August 2026 |
| UEFA Champions League 2026-27 | Athletic Bilbao qualified; group stage begins September 2026 |
| Transfer window | Open: Arsenal among clubs interested |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | Won (with Spain) |
| 2024 | UEFA European Championship | Won (with Spain) |
| 2024 | Copa del Rey | Won (with Athletic Bilbao) |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Born in Pamplona, Spain |
| 2010-2012 | CD Pamplona youth |
| 2012-2013 | Osasuna youth |
| 2013-2019 | Athletic Bilbao youth |
| 2019-2020 | CD Basconia (3 apps) |
| 2020-2021 | Bilbao Athletic (24 apps, 9 goals) |
| 2021 | Athletic Bilbao first-team debut |
| 2022 | Spain’s senior debut |
| 2024 | Won Copa del Rey with Athletic Bilbao |
| 2024 | Won Euro 2024 with Spain |
| 2025 | Signed contract extension until 2035 |
| 2026 | Won World Cup with Spain; provided final assist |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD Basconia | 2019-20 | 3 | 0 |
| Bilbao Athletic | 2020-21 | 24 | 9 |
| Athletic Bilbao | 2021-Present | 157 | 22 |
International Caps: 36 | International Goals: 6
FAQs
How old is Nico Williams?
Nico Williams was born on 12 July 2002 in Pamplona, Spain, which makes him 23 years old as of 2026.
What is Nico Williams’s net worth?
Nico Williams’s individual net worth is estimated to be between $15 and $20 million as of 2026. His combined net worth with his brother Iñaki is estimated to be between $30 and $40 million.
Which club does Nico Williams play for?
Nico Williams plays as a winger for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao. He has been with the club since his youth days and signed a contract extension until 2035.
What is Nico Williams’s release clause?
Williams’s contract includes a release clause understood to be worth around £77 million (€90 million), with some reports suggesting it could rise to €100 million.
Did Nico Williams win the World Cup?
Yes. Williams was part of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad and provided the decisive assist for Ferran Torres’s extra-time winner in the final against Argentina.
Does Nico Williams have a girlfriend?
Yes. Williams has been in a relationship with Ainhize Legarreta Garcia since 2024. She is an artificial intelligence engineering graduate from the University of the Basque Country.
Does Nico Williams have a brother who also plays football?
Yes. His older brother, Iñaki Williams, also plays for Athletic Bilbao. While Nico represents Spain, Iñaki chose to play for Ghana’s national team.
What is Nico Williams’s height?
Nico Williams stands at 1.81 meters (5 feet 11 inches).
What position does Nico Williams play?
Nico Williams plays as a winger. He is known for his speed, dribbling, and creativity.
What trophies has Nico Williams won?
Williams has won the Copa del Rey (2024) with Athletic Bilbao and the UEFA European Championship (2024) and FIFA World Cup (2026) with Spain.
Key Takeaways
- Nico Williams is a Spanish winger born on 12 July 2002 in Pamplona, Spain.
- He is the younger brother of Iñaki Williams, and both play for Athletic Bilbao.
- His parents made a treacherous journey as refugees from Ghana to Spain.
- He has won the Copa del Rey (2024), Euro 2024, and the 2026 World Cup with Spain.
- He provided the decisive assist in the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina.
- He signed a contract extension with Athletic Bilbao until 2035 with a €90-100 million release clause.
- His net worth is estimated to be between $15 and $20 million individually.
Conclusion
Nico Williams’s journey from the son of Ghanaian refugees to World Cup hero is one of the most inspiring stories in modern football. His parents’ treacherous journey across the Sahara in search of a better life laid the foundation for a family that would produce two of La Liga’s most exciting players. From his early days at Athletic Bilbao’s academy to becoming a key figure for club and country, Williams has consistently delivered on the biggest stages. His decisive assist in the 2026 World Cup final has etched his name into Spanish football history. At just 23, with a long-term contract at Athletic Bilbao and a bright future ahead, Nico Williams embodies the values of perseverance, family, and the power of dreams.
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