Athletic Club maintains a €77.8 million wage bill for 2025-26, ranking fourth in La Liga spending.
Nico Williams leads Los Leones at €12.9 million annually after signing a remarkable 10-year contract extension through 2035.
The Basque club’s unique policy of signing only players born or trained in the Basque region creates distinctive wage dynamics.
Athletic must offer premium salaries from their limited talent pool to compete with European giants, resulting in an average €3 million per player.
Check out detailed Athletic Club player profiles including complete biography and net worth information for each squad member.
| Player Name | Position | Nationality |
| Unai Simón | Goalkeeper | Spain |
| Julen Agirrezabala | Goalkeeper | Spain |
| Oier Gastesi | Goalkeeper | Spain |
| Adama Boiro | Defender | Spain |
| Aimar Duñabeitia | Defender | Spain |
| Aitor Paredes | Defender | Spain |
| Ander Izagirre | Defender | Spain |
| Andoni Gorosabel | Defender | Spain |
| Daniel Vivian | Defender | Spain |
| Óscar de Marcos | Defender | Spain |
| Iñigo Lekue | Defender | Spain |
| Unai Núñez | Defender | Spain |
| Yeray Álvarez | Defender | Spain |
| Yuri Berchiche | Defender | Spain |
| Alejandro Rego | Midfielder | Spain |
| Beñat Prados | Midfielder | Spain |
| Mikel Jauregizar | Midfielder | Spain |
| Oihan Sancet | Midfielder | Spain |
| Peio Canales | Midfielder | Spain |
| Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta | Midfielder | Spain |
| Unai Gómez | Midfielder | Spain |
| Mikel Vesga | Midfielder | Spain |
| Aingeru Olabarrieta | Forward | Spain |
| Álex Berenguer | Forward | Spain |
| Álvaro Djaló | Forward | Spain |
| Endika Buján | Forward | Spain |
| Gorka Guruzeta | Forward | Spain |
| Iker Varela | Forward | Spain |
| Iñaki Williams | Forward | Ghana |
| Nico Williams | Forward | Spain |
| Maroan Sannadi | Forward | Spain |
Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletic Club Players
Athletic’s wage structure heavily rewards the Williams brothers, who combined account for 31% of the total payroll.
Nico’s €250,000 weekly salary makes him one of La Liga’s elite earners despite the club’s mid-table status.
| Player | Position | Weekly Salary | Annual Salary | Contract Until |
| Nico Williams | Winger | €250,000 | €12.9 million | 2035 |
| Iñaki Williams | Forward | €219,300 | €11.4 million | 2028 |
| Aymeric Laporte | Defender | €173,000 | €9 million | 2027 |
| Unai Simón | Goalkeeper | €96,200 | €5 million | 2029 |
| Jesús Areso | Defender | €86,500 | €4.5 million | 2031 |
| Yuri Berchiche | Defender | €80,500 | €4.2 million | 2026 |
| Oihan Sancet | Midfielder | €80,000 | €4.2 million | 2032 |
| Dani Vivian | Defender | €70,000 | €3.7 million | 2032 |
| Álex Berenguer | Winger | €57,700 | €3 million | 2027 |
| Gorka Guruzeta | Forward | €46,200 | €2.4 million | 2028 |
Nico Williams’ 10-year contract represents Athletic’s determination to retain their brightest talent.
His deal includes performance bonuses potentially worth €2.5 million annually beyond base salary.
Williams Brothers Wage Dominance
The Williams siblings combined earn €24.3 million annually, representing 31% of Athletic’s €77.8 million wage bill.
This concentration reflects their status as the club’s most marketable and successful players.
Nico Williams rejected Barcelona’s interest during the summer of 2024 after Athletic offered a transformative 10-year deal.
His €12.9 million salary surpasses many established La Liga stars despite his youth.
Iñaki Williams’ €11.4 million contract runs through 2028, secured through a long-term extension in 2019.
The elder brother’s loyalty to Athletic earned him premium wages, rewarding over 400 consecutive La Liga appearances.
Their combined commercial value justifies the wage investment. The brothers drive Athletic’s jersey sales, international profile, and broadcast appeal far beyond typical mid-table clubs.
Total Wage Bill and La Liga Rankings
Athletic’s €77.8 million wage bill ranks fourth in La Liga for 2025-26, trailing only Real Madrid (€305.4M), Barcelona (€222M), and Atlético Madrid (€157.3M). Los Leones significantly outspend Valencia, Real Sociedad, and Sevilla.
The €3 million average salary represents La Liga’s sixth-highest, creating an apparent mismatch with Athletic’s typical 5th-8th place finishes.
This reflects the cantera policy economics rather than financial mismanagement.
Athletic’s wage-to-revenue ratio sits around 45-50%, maintaining healthy financial sustainability.
The club’s commercial revenues exceed €200 million annually, supporting competitive wage spending without wealthy ownership backing.
The 26-player squad includes significant depth at moderate wages. Midfielders like Mikel Vesga (€2.4M) and defenders like Yeray Álvarez (€2.4M) provide experienced squad options at manageable costs.
Richest Athletic Club Players by Net Worth
Athletic’s squad includes several players who built wealth through previous clubs or extended Bilbao careers.
Basque loyalty often means lower career earnings compared to players who transfer frequently.
| Player | Position | Estimated Net Worth | Age | Career Path |
| Aymeric Laporte | Defender | $35 million | 30 | Manchester City, Spain |
| Iñaki Williams | Forward | $25 million | 31 | Athletic Club (career) |
| Nico Williams | Winger | $18 million | 23 | Athletic Club (youth) |
| Unai Simón | Goalkeeper | $12 million | 28 | Athletic Club (career) |
| Álex Berenguer | Winger | $10 million | 30 | Torino, Athletic |
Laporte accumulated $35 million through Manchester City’s £150,000 weekly wages before returning to Spain.
His Athletic contract pays significantly less but provides Champions League football and cultural homecoming.
Iñaki Williams built $25 million entirely through Athletic Club loyalty. His 11-year senior career at San Mamés earning €3-11 million annually created substantial wealth without ever leaving the Basque country.
Nico Williams’ $18 million net worth at age 23 reflects his rapid salary escalation. His new contract will add €120+ million gross earnings over ten years, positioning him for €50+ million career wealth.
Position-Based Salary Distribution
Athletic’s wage allocation reflects modern attacking football while maintaining defensive stability. The club invests heavily in wingers and forwards driving their counter-attacking system.
- Attacking Players: €34.8 million combined (Williams brothers, Berenguer, Guruzeta dominate)
- Midfield Core: €12.6 million total (Sancet, Vesga, Ruiz de Galarreta lead)
- Defensive Unit: €28.2 million combined (Laporte, Vivian, Berchiche, Areso highest)
- Goalkeeping: €8.9 million total (Simón commands premium wages)
The forward-heavy allocation demonstrates Athletic’s tactical identity under Ernesto Valverde. Quick transitions and wing play justify premium wages for attacking talent.
FAQs
Who is Athletic Club’s highest-paid player?
Nico Williams leads Athletic wages at €250,000 weekly (€12.9 million annually). His 10-year contract signed in July 2025 runs through 2035, making him one of La Liga’s longest-contracted players at a top-tier salary.
What is Athletic Club’s total wage bill?
Athletic’s 2025-26 wage bill totals €77.8 million, ranking fourth in La Liga. The squad’s average salary of €3 million per player represents the league’s sixth-highest despite Athletic’s typical mid-table finishes.
Why do Athletic Bilbao players earn such high salaries?
Athletic’s Basque-only policy limits signings to players born or trained in the Basque region. This restricts their talent pool to approximately 1% of available players, forcing the club to offer premium wages matching bigger clubs to retain stars.
How much do the Williams brothers earn combined?
Nico and Iñaki Williams together earn €24.3 million annually, representing 31% of Athletic’s total wage bill. Their combined salaries reflect their importance as the club’s biggest stars and primary commercial assets.
What is the minimum salary at Athletic Club?
Spanish labor law mandates minimum first-team wages of €195,000 annually. Even Athletic’s youngest squad members like Adama Boiro earn this amount, ensuring respectable compensation throughout the roster.
