Iñaki Williams

Athletic Bilbao's record-breaking forward and captain

Iñaki Williams Arthuer (born 15 June 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao, which he captains, and the Ghana national team. Developed at Athletic Bilbao's academy, he has made over 500 first-team appearances for the club, including a La Liga record of 251 consecutive matches. He scored the winning goal of the 2020–21 Supercopa de España, and also won the 2023–24 Copa del Rey. Born in Spain to Ghanaian parents, Williams made one appearance for the Spain national team in 2016. In 2022, he switched to represent Ghana at international level, and was selected for two FIFA World Cups as well as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. His younger brother Nico also plays for Athletic Bilbao, and for Spain.

Quick Facts

Full name: Iñaki Williams Arthuer
Born: 15 June 1994
Birthplace: Bilbao, Spain
Height: 1.86 m / 6 ft 1 in
Position: Forward
Current club: Athletic Bilbao

Lore & Background

Born in Bilbao, Biscay to Ghanaian parents, who had arrived in Spain by crossing the Sahara on foot and jumping the Melilla border fence, Williams spent most of his childhood living in Pamplona, specifically the neighbourhood, and was playing youth football with local club CD Pamplona when he was spotted by Athletic Bilbao, who signed him to their youth setup at Lezama at the age of 18. He spent his first season with the Juvenil A side and made a big impression, scoring at the rate of almost a goal a game (eventually ending with 36); the team finished runners-up in the Copa del Rey Juvenil de Fútbol, and on 25 June 2013 he signed a new contract with the Basque club, running until 2017. Williams began 2013–14 playing with the farm team Basconia who competed in the Tercera División. After suffering a knee injury in August, he returned to activity in October, making his senior debut and marking it with a goal. He was immediately called up to the reserves in the Segunda División B and by the end of the same month had played his first match and scored his first goals at that level; he spent the campaign alternating between both squads. At the start of 2014–15, Williams scored a hat-trick for Bilbao Athletic in a 4–0 win against Amorebieta, and followed this on 7 September 2014 with another treble in a 5–1 win over Leioa. Despite only playing the first half of the season, his 13 goals from 18 appearances helped the team ascend to the Segunda División. On 6 December 2014, benefitting from Aritz Aduriz's injury, Williams made his first-team (and La Liga) debut, starting in a 1–0 home loss against Córdoba. He netted his first goal on 19 February of the following year, starting and contributing to a 2–2 draw at Torino in the round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League, becoming in the process the first black player to score for the club. On 17 May 2015, Williams scored his first goal in the top flight, netting a last-minute winner in a 3–2 away victory over Elche to help Athletic come from being behind 2–0. Thirteen days later, he headed a consolation goal in the 3–1 loss to Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey at the Camp Nou. He missed the 2015 Supercopa de España victory over the same opponents three months later through injury. Williams scored a brace (before giving away a penalty) in a 3–1 win away to Real Betis on 1 November 2015.

Club Career and Records

Williams began his youth career at CD Pamplona before joining Athletic Bilbao's Lezama academy at age 18. After scoring 36 goals for Juvenil A, he played for Basconia (Tercera División) and Bilbao Athletic (Segunda División B), helping the latter ascend to Segunda División with 13 goals in 18 appearances. He made his first-team debut on 6 December 2014 against Córdoba. On 19 February 2015, he became the first black player to score for the club in a Europa League match versus Torino. His first La Liga goal came on 17 May 2015 against Elche. He extended his contract in January 2016 (until 2021, €50m clause) and again in August 2019 (nine years, €135m clause). On 24 November 2018, he set a new club record with his 133rd consecutive top-flight appearance. His streak reached 251 matches before ending on 29 January 2023 against Celta de Vigo. In January 2024, he scored in extra time for the Copa del Rey quarter-final win over Barcelona after returning from AFCON. On 24 May 2024, surgery revealed a two-centimetre glass shard in his foot. He became captain ahead of the 2025–26 season and made his 500th appearance on 14 March 2026 against Girona.

International Journey and Identity

Born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents who crossed the Sahara on foot, Williams received his Basque name from a Caritas volunteer. He debuted for Spain's under-21 team in 2015 and made one senior appearance for Spain in May 2016 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In July 2022, he announced his switch to represent Ghana, citing his parents' origins. He debuted for the Black Stars in September 2022 against Brazil and adopted the name 'Kweku' within the squad. He was selected for two FIFA World Cups (2022 and 2026) and played at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring his first goal on 17 November 2023 against Madagascar in a World Cup qualifier.

Defining Moments and Trophies

Williams scored the winning goal in extra time during the 2020–21 Supercopa de España final against Barcelona. He won the 2023–24 Copa del Rey with Athletic Bilbao. On 13 January 2019, he scored both goals in a 2–0 victory over Sevilla; his second goal was awarded the Marca Golden Goal of the season. This performance earned him the La Liga Player of the Month award for January 2019.

Legacy and Family Connection

Williams is the first black player in Athletic Bilbao history to be named captain, taking the role ahead of the 2025–26 season. He holds the record for consecutive matches in the Spanish top flight (251). His parents arrived in Spain by crossing the Sahara on foot and jumping the Melilla border fence; his Basque name honors a Caritas volunteer who assisted them. His younger brother, Nico Williams, also plays for Athletic Bilbao but represents the Spain national team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Iñaki Williams?

Iñaki Williams is a Ghanaian-Basque forward who has played exclusively for Athletic Bilbao since his first-team debut in 2014. He emerged from the club's youth academy and embodies their strict policy of fielding only players with Basque roots or local training.

How does he fit the 'cantera' rule?

Williams qualifies for selection because he was developed within Athletic Bilbao's own youth system, satisfying the club's unique requirement for local training. This allows him to play despite his Ghanaian heritage, as long as he meets the academy criteria.