Nico Williams is a Spanish professional soccer player who has a net worth of $20 million.

Nico Williams is best known for playing as a winger for Athletic Club and the Spanish national team. One of the fastest and most dangerous wide attackers in European soccer, Williams combines explosive acceleration, close control, direct dribbling and the ability to create chances from either side of the field.

Williams emerged from Athletic Club's academy alongside his older brother, Iñaki Williams. He helped Athletic win the Copa del Rey in 2024, ending the club's 40-year wait for the trophy. Later that year, he became one of the defining stars of Spain's UEFA European Championship victory. Williams scored in the final against England after receiving a pass from Lamine Yamal and was named Player of the Match.

Despite attracting interest from several of Europe's wealthiest clubs, Williams chose to remain with Athletic Club. In 2025, he signed a new contract running through June 2035, the longest first-team agreement in club history. The deal made him Athletic's highest-paid player and reportedly included a release clause of approximately €95 million.

Nicholas Williams Arthuer was born on July 12, 2002, in Pamplona, Spain. His parents, Félix Williams and María Arthuer, had migrated from Ghana to Spain in search of a better life.

Nico grew up in a close family and followed the example of his older brother, Iñaki, who also became a professional soccer player. The brothers spent much of their childhood playing together, and Iñaki became both a mentor and a father figure to Nico.

Williams began playing youth soccer with CD Pamplona before entering Athletic Club's Lezama academy at age 11. Athletic's recruitment policy traditionally focuses on players born or developed in the Basque region, making Nico's progression through the academy especially significant.

Williams progressed through Athletic's youth teams before joining the reserve side, Bilbao Athletic. He made his senior first-team debut in April 2021 against Real Valladolid.

During that match, Nico appeared alongside Iñaki, making them the first brothers to play together for Athletic's senior team in 35 years.

Williams initially attracted attention because of his speed and dribbling, but he gradually became more effective as a scorer and creator. He developed the ability to attack defenders one-on-one, cross with either foot and switch between the left and right wings.

His breakthrough came during the 2022-23 season, when he became a regular starter and earned a place in Spain's World Cup squad.

Williams played an important role during Athletic's 2023-24 Copa del Rey campaign. Athletic defeated Barcelona and Atlético Madrid on its way to the final before beating Mallorca in a penalty shootout. The victory gave Athletic its first Copa del Rey title since 1984.

Williams contributed assists and attacking energy throughout the tournament. The trophy celebration, which included a parade on the Gabarra barge through Bilbao, became one of the defining moments of his club career.

His performances led to intense transfer speculation. Barcelona was repeatedly linked with a move that would have united Williams with Yamal at the club level, while several Premier League teams were also reportedly interested.

Williams instead committed his future to Athletic. His decision reflected his close relationship with the club, his brother and the Basque community.

Williams first signed a contract extension in December 2023 that ran through June 2027.

In July 2025, Athletic announced that he had agreed to an eight-year extension, creating a ten-year contract that runs through June 2035. It became the longest first-team contract in Athletic Club history.

The club also increased his release clause by more than 50%. The clause is estimated at approximately €95 million.

Williams' decision to remain was notable because he could potentially have earned substantial signing bonuses and endorsement opportunities by joining a larger European club. Instead, he emphasized his connection to Athletic, saying that he was where he wanted to be and considered the club his home.

Williams represented Spain at several youth levels before making his senior international debut in September 2022.

He was selected for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and appeared in all four of Spain's matches. Although Spain was eliminated by Morocco in the round of 16, the tournament established Williams as an important part of the country's new generation.

His international breakthrough came at Euro 2024. Williams formed a devastating wing partnership with Yamal, giving Spain pace and creativity on both sides of the field.

Williams was named Player of the Match after an outstanding performance against Italy in the group stage. He also scored during Spain's knockout victory over Georgia.

In the final against England, Yamal passed the ball across the field to Williams shortly after halftime. Williams finished into the far corner to give Spain the lead. Spain eventually won 2-1, and Williams was named the final's Player of the Match.

Williams joined Yamal, Rodri and Pedri as central figures in Spain's return to the top of international soccer.

He remained part of Spain's core as the country advanced to the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina.

Williams earned comparatively modest wages during his first seasons with Athletic Club. His compensation increased sharply after his breakthrough with the first team and Spain.

His 2023 extension reportedly increased his gross salary to approximately €10.4 million per season.

Under the long-term contract signed in 2025, Williams earns an estimated fixed gross salary of €16.67 million per year, equal to roughly $19 million. Estimated bonuses of approximately €4.17 million could push his total annual club compensation above €20 million, or around $24 million.

The ten-year agreement could be worth approximately €166.7 million in fixed gross salary. When estimated bonuses are included, its maximum value may exceed €200 million.

Williams has earned an estimated €44.5 million in fixed gross career salary. Including estimated bonuses, his club earnings are closer to €49 million.

After Spanish income taxes, agent commissions and personal expenses, an estimated net worth of $20 million is reasonable. His net worth remains far below the theoretical value of his contract because most of the money guaranteed through 2035 has not yet been earned.

Williams earns additional income through soccer boot, sportswear and commercial partnerships. His endorsement profile expanded significantly after Euro 2024.

His exciting style, young age and partnership with Yamal have made him one of Spain's most marketable players. Williams also benefits from his close association with Iñaki and the brothers' broader cultural importance within Athletic Club and Spanish soccer.

Williams has generally kept his romantic life private. He is especially close to his parents and brother.

Nico and Iñaki represent different countries internationally. Nico plays for Spain, the country of his birth, while Iñaki represents Ghana, their parents' homeland. The brothers have faced each other at international tournaments while continuing to play together for Athletic Club.

Their family story has become a symbol of migration, opportunity and identity in Spanish soccer. Athletic Club named their mother, María Arthuer, an ambassador during the club's 125th-anniversary celebrations in recognition of the contribution migrant families have made to the Basque community.