Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nico Williams

Discover the career path of Nico Williams, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Nicholas "Nico" Williams Arthuer is a Spanish professional footballer currently playing as a winger for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga and the Spain national team. He is known for his exceptional speed and dribbling abilities on the field.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2013: Joined Athletic Bilbao's youth academy

In 2013, Nico Williams joined Athletic Bilbao's youth academy.

2019: Senior career start with Basconia

In 2019, Nico Williams began his senior career with Athletic Bilbao's farm team, Basconia, during the 2019–20 season.

May 2020: Promotion to reserve team

On May 11, 2020, Nico Williams was promoted to the reserve team in the Segunda División B.

2020: Represented Spain with the under-18 squad

In 2020, Nico Williams first represented Spain with the under-18 squad, scoring two goals in four games.

2020: Promoted to the reserve team

In 2020, Nico Williams was promoted to the reserve team of Athletic Bilbao.

February 2021: Called up to Spain under-19s

In February 2021, Nico Williams was called up to the Spain under-19s.

January 2022: First goals and first team contract

In January 2022, Nico Williams scored his first two goals for Athletic Bilbao and was given a first team contract after meeting a number of clauses.

September 2022: First call-up to the senior squad

In September 2022, Nico Williams received his first call-up to the senior squad of Spain, coached by Luis Enrique, for 2022–23 UEFA Nations League fixtures.

September 2022: Player of the match

On September 11, 2022, Nico Williams was named player of the match in a 4–1 away win against Elche CF. In the first half-hour of the match he pressurised an opponent into conceding an own goal, was tripped to give his side a penalty (converted by Oihan Sancet) then scored himself via a dribble from the right wing and powerful shot for his first goal in the competition.

2022: Debut for Spain's senior side & FIFA World Cup Member

In 2022, Nico Williams debuted for Spain's senior side and was a member of their 2022 FIFA World Cup squad.

December 2023: New contract agreed

On December 1, 2023, Nico Williams agreed to a new contract with Athletic Bilbao running to 2027.

2023: Copa del Rey Title

In 2023, Nico Williams and his brother Iñaki Williams won the Copa del Rey with Athletic Bilbao.

April 2024: Man of the Match in Copa del Rey final

On April 6, 2024, Nico Williams provided the assist for Sancet to score in the Copa del Rey final against Mallorca, and was subsequently named Man of the Match. The final ended in a 1–1 draw and Athletic went on to win a penalty shootout to claim their first major trophy in 40 years.

May 2024: Selected for UEFA Euro 2024

In May 2024, Nico Williams was selected in the 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.

2024: UEFA Euro 2024 Champion

In 2024, Nico Williams was a member of the UEFA Euro 2024 squads, scoring and being named man of the match in the final, as Spain won the tournament.

2024: La Liga and Champions League

In the 2024-25 season, the club's strong form in La Liga (in which they qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in a decade) largely due to a strong defence

June 2025: Barcelona's interest intensifies

In June 2025, speculation over Nico Williams' future intensified, with Barcelona widely reported as having agreed contractual terms with the player but seeking to pay the transfer fee in instalments.

July 2025: Contract Renewal

In July 2025, Nico Williams renewed his contract with Athletic Bilbao in a massive 10-year deal, set to run until 2035. The extension was finalized in the first week of July 2025, ahead of the new season.

2035: Contract end with Athletic Bilbao

In 2035, Nico Williams is set to end his contract with Athletic Bilbao in a massive 10-year deal. The extension was finalized in the first week of July 2025, ahead of the new season.