The departure of Iker Muniain left the No 10 shirt vacant at Athletic Club, who are going through a busy summer with the future of Nico Williams. Over the last few hours, rumours of a possible departure have been growing again, but the Bilbao side have once again put a stop to them with this move.
The Euro 2024 hangover led to a constant buzz around Nico Williams’ decision on his future. Stay at Athletic or leave, presumably to Barcelona. As the days went by, this second option became more complicated, although recently this possibility grew. What is certain is that the winger is training with his team, which he takes advantage of whenever he can to suggest his continuity.
The last one, a very emotional one. A legend like Iker Muniain decided to leave the club at the end of last season and his No 10 shirt became vacant. The Bilbao squad, facing the start of a new season, had to decide how the final photo would look. Nico Williams, who wore the No 11, left it to Alvaro Djaló, Athletic’s new addition in this market, and he took on the responsibility of taking Muniain’s No 10.
Almost like a signing, Nico signed his new shirt and wore it with his team-mate in a video that reinforces the Athletic fan’s belief that the player can continue with the Basque side, at least for the 2024-25 season that is about to start. Smiling, the youngest Williams has proudly received this legacy from his former captain. “It looks good, it looks good. I asked it to Muniain too. I’m very proud to be able to wear this number and make history like he did,” said the striker.
A No 10 worn by Iker Muniain, but which has a history beyond that. Oscar de Marcos, Fran Yeste, Aitor Larrazabal, Ander Garitano, Ziganda and Ernesto Valverde were others who wore it in more recent times. Now, if nothing changes, it will be Nico Williams who can begin to write his first pages with him at San Mames.
