Nico Williams (foto: Getty Images)
Nico Williams has extended his contract with Athletic until 2035. His new €100 million release clause, effective from 2026, makes any potential transfer significantly harder for Europe's top clubs.
Nico Williams has committed his long-term future to Athletic Club by signing a new contract that runs until 2035, effectively ending ongoing transfer speculation surrounding the Spanish international.
The 21-year-old winger was heavily linked with Barcelona and Bayern Munich this summer, but Athletic managed to fend off their interest by offering him a lucrative deal that reflects his growing status in European football.
Williams will now earn €7 million annually, with bonuses potentially pushing his total salary to €10 million net per year—placing him among La Liga’s highest-paid players, on par with stars at Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The key detail of the new deal is the introduction of a €100 million buyout clause, which will become active from 2026 onwards. Although Williams is not entirely off the market, any club interested in signing him would have to pay the full amount upfront—an increasingly rare and difficult demand, even for Europe’s financial heavyweights.
Athletic Club showed this summer that they have no intention of negotiating, rejecting any form of transfer talks—even when offers exceeded previous clause terms. This firm stance signals the club's desire to build their future around Williams.
With his explosive pace, dribbling skills, and growing maturity on the international stage, Williams is seen as a cornerstone of both Athletic’s future and Spain’s national team. The new deal ensures he remains in Bilbao—at least for the foreseeable future.
Nico Williams has committed his long-term future to Athletic Club by signing a new contract that runs until 2035, effectively ending ongoing transfer speculation surrounding the Spanish international.
The 21-year-old winger was heavily linked with Barcelona and Bayern Munich this summer, but Athletic managed to fend off their interest by offering him a lucrative deal that reflects his growing status in European football.
Williams will now earn €7 million annually, with bonuses potentially pushing his total salary to €10 million net per year—placing him among La Liga’s highest-paid players, on par with stars at Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The key detail of the new deal is the introduction of a €100 million buyout clause, which will become active from 2026 onwards. Although Williams is not entirely off the market, any club interested in signing him would have to pay the full amount upfront—an increasingly rare and difficult demand, even for Europe’s financial heavyweights.
Athletic Club showed this summer that they have no intention of negotiating, rejecting any form of transfer talks—even when offers exceeded previous clause terms. This firm stance signals the club's desire to build their future around Williams.
With his explosive pace, dribbling skills, and growing maturity on the international stage, Williams is seen as a cornerstone of both Athletic’s future and Spain’s national team. The new deal ensures he remains in Bilbao—at least for the foreseeable future.