Nico Williams, one of Spain’s brightest young talents, has quickly risen through the ranks at Athletic Bilbao, establishing himself as one of the most promising talents in European football.
The Pamplona-born lad was a shining light in Euro 2024, helping La Roja secure the esteemed trophy in Germany. Elite clubs in Europe, including Barcelona, were linked to the dynamic winger but he opted to stay at the Estadio de San Mamés.
Nico's career journey marked by set backs, triumphs, hard work, undeniable skill, and family support, has made him a star in and out of play. Let’s take a look at his salary, net worth, and the strong bond with his brother that means so much to him, serving as motivation and inspiration as he navigates the challenges of professional football.
Nico Williams Salary
Nico Williams’ rise at Athletic Bilbao has been rapid, and with that success has come significant financial rewards. In 2023, the 21-year-old winger signed a new three-year deal with the club, securing a salary that has significantly boosted his earnings.
Williams now earns an impressive annual income of £8.9 million, equating to £172,450 per week. These figures place him among the higher earners at Bilbao, although he remains outside the top tier earners in La Liga, currently ranked as the 25th highest-paid player in the league. Although Nico's salary is substantial, it is still lower than his older brother Inaki’s, who has become a key player for Athletic Bilbao and one of the club’s top earners.
Nico’s new contract also includes a reported £51 million release clause, a significant statement of his value to Bilbao, even as major clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Liverpool express interest in securing his services.
Nico Williams Net Worth
Nico Williams’ net worth reflects both his current salary and his growing off-the-pitch ventures. As of 2024, Nico’s net worth is estimated to be around £6 million. This wealth comes from his wages at Athletic Bilbao and his endorsement deals, the most prominent being his exclusive contract with Nike.
The sportswear giant has backed Williams with a substantial deal, easily worth over £1 million, in exchange for him sporting their boots on the pitch.
While Nico’s net worth is expected to rise rapidly over the next few years due to his talent, youth, and potential transfer prospects, he has already demonstrated that his wealth is not solely for personal indulgence. Alongside his brother, he has invested in charity work in Ghana, paying to build a school in the country where their parents were born.
Brotherly Love: The Williams Family Story
Nico Williams' football journey is deeply intertwined with that of his elder brother, Inaki, who has been a role model and a protector throughout Nico’s life. Inaki, born in 1994, blazed a trail for his younger brother at Athletic Bilbao, becoming the club’s first black player and famously making headlines by playing 251 consecutive matches – a La Liga record. His success at Bilbao laid the foundation for Nico’s arrival at the club’s youth academy when he was just nine years old.
Inaki’s influence on Nico extends beyond football. With their father, Felix, working in England to provide for the family (even taking jobs like working turnstiles at Chelsea’s stadium), Inaki helped raise Nico and became a father figure to him. The bond between the two brothers is clear, especially when they take to the pitch together for Athletic Bilbao. In May 2020, when Nico made his professional debut, he played alongside Inaki, marking the first time in 34 years that two brothers had shared the same pitch for Bilbao.
The story of the Williams family is one of perseverance, love, and dedication. Their parents, Felix and Maria, fled Ghana on foot in the mid-1990s in search of a better life, crossing the Sahara Desert under extreme conditions. Felix endured severe injuries to his feet that still affect his ability to walk, while Maria was seven months pregnant with Inaki during the perilous journey.
Upon arriving in Spain, a Catholic priest helped them settle and arranged medical care for Maria. The priest, named Inaki, later became the namesake for their firstborn son, further deepening the family’s gratitude to him and to their adopted home country.
The family’s incredible journey has shaped both Inaki and Nico into resilient, grounded individuals who, despite their fame, remain connected to their roots. Their shared experiences have strengthened their bond, making them not just teammates on the pitch but lifelong companions in overcoming adversity and achieving success.
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