Nico Williams has ended speculation over his future by signing a remarkable 10-year contract extension with Athletic Club, tying him to the Basque giants until 2035.

The new deal includes a release clause of €87 million and puts to rest weeks of intense transfer rumours that strongly linked the 21-year-old winger with a big-money move to FC Barcelona.

“I’m exactly where my heart is—home,” Nico declared after the official announcement.

“When it comes to making decisions, the most important thing to do is listen to your heart.
This is the place where I want to be, with my people.
This is my home.”

The breakdown of the Barcelona deal has left many stunned, especially as everything appeared to be lined up for Nico’s arrival at Camp Nou. Here’s how the deal fell apart:

Nico Williams requested a meeting with his agent to prepare for a move to Barcelona.

After backing out of a deal last summer, Barça reignited their pursuit and quickly reached a salary agreement with the player.

The club planned to trigger his release clause in early July, viewing him as a crucial addition to their 2024/25 project.

However, Nico’s agent asked for a firm registration guarantee due to Barça’s ongoing financial constraints—seeking assurance that the player could be officially registered immediately upon signing.

As delays mounted, Bilbao media prematurely reported his departure, prompting Athletic Club to file a complaint with La Liga over what they considered destabilizing interference.

In a twist, Athletic acted swiftly and decisively—offering a long-term deal that matched the player’s ambitions and emotional ties to the club.

Nico Williams’ commitment to Athletic is a powerful message in modern football—a declaration of loyalty to his roots and belief in the club’s vision.

For Barcelona, the collapse of the deal is a major blow to their summer transfer plans. But for Athletic Club, it is a monumental win, locking down one of Europe’s most exciting young talents for the next decade.