The 22-year-old, who rose through the ranks of the Spanish outfit, has nothing but full of praises for his boyhood club given their talent nurturing capacity in the sporting discipline
Spain-born Ghanaian forward Nico Williams has described his La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao a ''unique team'' as they prepare to lock horns with ltalian giants AS Roma in the Europa League Round of 16 first-leg tie on Thursday.
The promising youngster, who was a chief transfer target of Barcelona during the summer of 2024, is hinting on his possible long-term stay with the Estadio de San Mamés campaigners having touted them so far for relying on their youth ranks in chalking up success in the Spanish top-flight.
''A unique team, '' UEFA Euro 2024 Spanish Winning- Cup member told Italian newspaper Gazzeta dello Sport
''A club that bases all its strength on its youth system and that, incredibly, has never been relegated. We play in Europe, we won the Copa del Rey a year ago and we always compete at the highest level.''
''The kids who come here know that the chances of reaching the first team are real. It's something special, beautiful, that pushes you to fight day after day. And then there's that feeling of belonging, which is unique,'' he added.
Williams is expected to lead the attacking unit of manager Ernesto Valverde's set-up against Roma tonight at the Stadio Olimpico.
He has so far netted 6 goals and assisted 7 in 33 games across all competitions for Athletic Bilbao in this ongoing 2024-25 football season.
The Pamplona-born striker, who is a sibling to Ghana Black Stars forward lnaki Williams, opted to represent the Spanish senior national team at the international level.
