Athletic Team News Page 13 - Soccer

Spain's Nico Williams Stays at Athletic Bilbao Despite Barcelona Interest

Athletic Bilbao says Spain winger Nico Williams has agreed to long-term deal that will keep him at the Basque club through 2035.

JULY 4, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Spain's Nico Williams Stays at Athletic Bilbao Despite Barcelona Interest

Nico Williams - Extends with Athletic until 2035 Williams has signed a contract extension with Athletic until 2035, the club announced.

Impact Williams will remain at Athletic for the next 10 seasons after signing a contract extension on Friday. This is massive news for the club since Williams was reportedly on the move during this summer transfer window. The younger brother of Inaki will remain Athletic's biggest attacking threat under coach Ernesto Valverde heading into the 2025/26 season that will see Bilbao back in the Champions League.

JULY 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Vencedor - Back to Bilbao Vencedor is returning to his parent club Athletic after ending his season-long loan spell in Racing Santander.

Impact Vencedor featured in 41 games across all competitions for Racing Santander while on loan from Athletic, providing two assists. The central midfielder is now heading back to his parent club with two years left on his contract. That said, he is unlikely to play a big role in the 2025/26 season since he is well behind in the midfield hierarchy at Bilbao.

JULY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Serrano - Returns to Bilbao Serrano is returning to his parent club Athletic after ending his half of season-long loan spell in Gijon.

Impact Serrano featured in 18 games across all competitions for Gijon while on loan from Athletic, scoring two goals and providing one assist. The left winger is now returning to his parent club with three years remaining on his contract. He could feature in the frontline for the 2025/26 season as the only backup to Alex Berenguer on the left wing if Nico Williams leaves the club.

JULY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Javier Marton - Heads back to Athletic Marton is returning to his parent club Athletic after ending his half of season-long loan spell in Albacete.

Impact Marton featured in 13 games across all competitions for Albacete while on loan from Athletic, scoring three goals. The striker is now heading back to his parent club with one year left on his contract. That said, he is unlikely to play a big role heading into the 2025/26 season since Maroan Sannadi and Gorka Guruzeta are ahead of him in the striker hierarchy.

JULY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Adu Ares - Goes back to Athletic Ares is going back to his parent club Athletic after ending his season-long loan spell in Zaragoza.

Impact Ares featured in 32 games across all competitions for Zaragoza while on loan from Athletic, scoring five goals and providing two assists. The winger is now returning to his parent club with two years left on his contract. He could serve as a backup option on the right wing behind Inaki Williams and Alvaro Djalo heading into the 2025/26 season.

JULY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Robert Navarro - Joins Athletic Navarro has left Mallorca to join Athletic, according to his new club.

Impact Navarro is no longer a member of Mallorca after ending his contract with the club, instead heading to Athletic on a deal until 2030. This comes after starting in 15 of his 23 appearances last season, seeing a decent spot in a rotational role. He will now hope to find a similar role with his new club as he continues his time in La Liga, already playing 89 games at the age of 23.

JUNE 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Jauregizar - Signs contract extension until 2031 Jauregizar has signed a contract extension with Athletic Club until 2031, the club announced.

Impact Jauregizar made his first-team debut in December 2023 in a Copa del Rey match against Cayon and has been a regular part of preseason and training dynamics with the senior squad. During the 2024-25 season, he made 44 appearances across all competitions, contributing to three goals and one assist. He will discover the Champions League next season with Bilbao and will likely be a regular starter again.

MAY 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Scores seven goals in league play Guruzeta scored seven goals and added two assists in 36 appearances (21 starts) during the 2024/25 Liga season. He also added one goal and two assists in 12 appearances (seven star...

Impact Guruzeta was unable to repeat the scoring ways he evidenced in 2023/24, when he netted a career-best 14 goals with five assists in 32 league starts. The striker should remain a reliable option upfront for Athletic Club in 2025/26 in a busy year that will also include the UEFA Champions League.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Records 14 contributions Williams recorded six goals and eight assists across 35 appearances (29 starts) in the 2024/25 Liga season.

Impact Williams had another impressive season, and the veteran winger continues to be one of the most productive players for Athletic Club. If including the UEFA Europa League, in which he scored five goals across 12 appearances, this was the third straight season in which Williams recorded double-digit goals across all competitions. The winger should be a key player for Athletic Club in 2025/26 in their return to the UEFA Champions League.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Records four assists De Galarreta recorded four assists across 26 appearances (18 starts) in the 2024/25 Liga season.

Impact De Galarreta has been a regular first-team member for Athletic Club for quite some time now, and this was the fourth straight season in which he recorded over 15 starts, However, and while his overall involvement decreased compared to his numbers over the previous two campaigns in which he made 28 and 25 starts, respectively, his four assists were a career-high mark. He should remain a depth piece in midfield for Athletic Club ahead of a busy 2025/26 season in which the club will play in the UEFA Champions League.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Jauregizar - Starts regularly in midfield Jauregizar recorded two goals and one assist while starting in 25 of his 34 league appearances in 2024/25.

Impact Jauregizar was one of the most consistent starters for Athletic Club throughout the campaign, and he failed to appear in only four of the team's 38 league matches. He didn't provide a lot of value as a fantasy asset due to the nature of his defensive-minded role in midfield, but he regularly operated as the primary link between defense and midfield. Even if Athletic Club bolster their depth in midfield in the 2025/26 campaign, Jauregizar should remain a regular for Athletic due to his tactical versatility and ability to play different roles in midfield.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Enjoys breakout season Sancet scored 15 goals across 29 appearances (19 starts) and added one assist in the 2024/25 Liga season. He also recorded two goals and two assists in seven UEFA Europa League app...

Impact Sancet scored in double digits for the second straight league season, but he took a step forward in this campaign and finished as one of the top Spanish goalscorers in LaLiga despite not being a striker. This kind of season should generate a lot of interest around Sancet, but the star playmaker is expected to remain with Athletic Club to play in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Double-digit goal contributions Wiliams recorded five goals and five assists across 29 appearances (22 starts) during the 2024/25 Liga season. He also notched five goals and two assists in 13 appearances (12 star...

Impact Williams was unable to build on the breakout season he enjoyed in 2023/24, when he recorded five goals and 11 assists across 29 starts and 31 appearances, though his starts were significantly fewer in 2024/25. Williams has been heavily linked with a move to FC Barcelona, and clubs in the Premier League are keeping close tabs on him as well. However, Athletic Club aren't expected to let him leave since they'll be playing in the UEFA Champions League in 2025/26, and Williams figures to be a key player for the club once again, especially if he manages to stay healthy.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Aitor Paredes - Steady defensive presence Paredes started in 21 of his 23 league appearances for Athletic Club. He also started in eight of his 10 UEFA Europa League outings.

Impact Athletic Club regularly fielded either Paredes, Dani Vivian or Yeray Alvarez (thigh) at center-back, and all three players performed at a reliable level when needed. This was the second straight season in which Paredes logged at least 20 starts, so in a worst-case scenario, he'll remain a depth piece for the club while making the occasional start. His fantasy upside will remain exclusively tied to what he can do in terms of defensive stats, though.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Andoni Gorosabel - Makes 17 starts Gorosabel started in 17 of his 20 league appearances during the 2024/25 season.

Impact Gorosabel was part of a committee on the right side of the defensive line, as he divided time with Oscar de Marcos, but now that the latter has left the club, Gorosabel should have a clean path toward a permanent starting role in 2025/26 and beyond. He finished the 2024/25 season with 41 crosses, 47 tackles, 57 clearances, 18 interceptions and two assists while featuring predominantly as a right-back.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Yuri Berchiche - Starter when healthy Berchiche started in 22 of his 30 league appearances during the 2024/25 Liga season, tallying 42 crosses, 70 clearances, 33 tackles and 27 interceptions. He also started in each of...

Impact Berchiche dealt with multiple muscular problems throughout the season, but he was part of the starting lineup regularly when healthy. The left-back has made at least 20 starts in each of the last three seasons with Athletic Club and isn't expected to experience a change in his role going forward since he's one of the club's captains. That said, Adama Boiro proved he's ready to give him a breather from time to time, so at least Athletic now have a solid backup for the veteran left-back.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Vivian - Regular starter at center-back Vivian started in 28 of his 32 league appearances, as well as in 10 of his 11 UEFA Europa League appearances, during the 2024/25 season. He racked up 147 clearances, 47 interceptio...

Impact Athletic rarely made changes on the defensive line and Vivian was one of their most consistent performers regardless of whether he was playing alongside Yeray Alvarez (thigh) or Aitor Paredes. It's unclear whether Athletic will aim to bolster their defensive line over the summer transfer window, but Vivian should remain a regular starter for the side as long as he doesn't sign with a bigger club.

MAY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Maroan Sannadi - Two shots in loss Sannadi recorded two shots (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 3-0 defeat versus Barcelona.

Impact Sannadi registered at least two shots in a match for the seventh time in 16 appearances this season. This was also his fifth league game with at least 10 completed passes. He totaled seven shots on target and seven chances created on the campaign and finished with two goal contributions.

MAY 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lewandowski strikes twice for champion Barcelona but can't catch Mbappé for scoring title

Barcelona has capped its title-winning campaign with a 3-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice but falling short of catching Kylian Mbappé as the Spani...

MAY 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Yeray Alvarez - Out to face Barcelona Alvarez (thigh) is out for Sunday's match against Barcelona.

Impact Alvarez was thought to be an option for Sunday's season finale but has missed out, not seeing the starting XI or bench. This is a tough way to end the season for the defender, starting in 20 of his 21 appearances while notching one goal on nine shots to go along with 25 tackles, 34 interceptions, and 127 clearances.

MAY 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Starts Sunday Williams (groin) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Barcelona.

Impact Williams has been absent from the club's past five matches but is returning for the season finale, with the attacker finding a spot in the starting XI immediately. He will hope to see a goal contribution in the season finale and add to his five goals and five assists in league play.

MAY 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Yeray Alvarez - Fit for Sunday Alavrez (thigh) is an option for Sunday's match against Barcelona, accoridng to Junma Velasco of Marca.

Impact Alvarez missed last outing but appears to have shaken off all issues heading into Sunday's match, as he is once again an option. This is good news, as he is a regular starter, likely to see that spot immediately if fully fit for the season finale.

MAY 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Option to face Barcelona Williams (groin) is an option for Sunday's match against Barcelona, accoridng to Juanma Velasco of Marca.

Impact Williams is going to be an option for Sunday's season finale, as all players have been deemed available for the match. This is great news after five straight matches missed, as he is a crucial player. He will hope to see the start, starting in 21 of his 28 appearances this league season.

MAY 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Lekue - Extends with Athletic Lekue has extended his contract with Athletic, accoridng to his club.

Impact Lekue isn't going to be departing Athletic this offseason, as the defender has inked a new deal until June 2026. This comes after starting in 10 of his 19 appearances this season, bagging 13 interceptions, 17 tackles and 32 clearances in his time on the field. That said, he will likely see a rotational to reserve role next campaign as well.

MAY 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Spain's Nico Williams Stays at Athletic Bilbao Despite Barcelona Interest

Lewandowski strikes twice for champion Barcelona but can't catch Mbappé for scoring title