Inaki Williams turning heads as he influences games for Athletic Bilbao

Inaki Williams, who became Athletic Bilbao's first black player when he made his debut in a home defeat to Cordoba in December last year, has helped the Basques’ fortunes have improved markedly with his speed and strength in their attack.

Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams, left, is making the most of his call-up. Luis Tejido / EPA

As far as names go, they do not get any more Basque than Aritz Aduriz Zubeldia.

The Athletic Bilbao centre forward, 34, is enjoying a superb season and scored the only goal in the win over Real Madrid, but what of the man who could be his long-term replacement?

Inaki is a Basque name, Williams is British.

Inaki Williams is the 20-year-old striker who became Athletic’s first black player when he made his debut in a home defeat to Cordoba in December last year when Aduriz and Guillermo were injured. The Basques’ fortunes have improved markedly since, and Williams is flourishing, adding speed and strength to Athletic’s attack.

Born in Bilbao to a Ghanian father and a Liberian mother who met in a refugee camp after the war in Liberia, they moved to Spain and Williams grew up in neighbouring Navarra.

He joined Athletic full-time in 2012 at age 16 and was loaned to feeder club Basconia.

Williams had been training with Athletic since the age of 10 and did so well with Basconia that he was promoted to Bilbao Athletic, the club’s B team.

When Spain’s economy crashed, in 2008, his father Felix joined the thousands of Spaniards in London looking for work. Williams’s first professional contract allowed him to return home and be re-united with his mother.

He was a hit for Athletic Bilbao, where he was top scorer last season with eight goals in 15 games.

He was expected to remain this season and had already scored 13 times in Spain’s regional third division when Aduritz’s injury created an opening.

Williams has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Even first-team coach Ernesto Valverde said that his contribution has been a huge surprise. A pleasant one as well as he also became the first black player to score for the club last month, in a 2-2 Europa League draw at Torino.

Williams celebrated by shouting, almost with disbelief, “I’ve scored! I’ve scored!” His dream really was coming true.

Against Madrid, chants of “Inaki, Inaki” rang around the new San Mames Stadium after he was substituted.

He later tweeted a photo of himself running away from Cristiano Ronaldo with the ball.

But why Williams?

His grandfather had worked for the British army, where he was encouraged to have a British name.

Williams is making the most of his chance and has vowed to keep working hard.

Williams, who can also play on the left (as he did against Madrid) or right wing, is also eligible to play for Ghana and Liberia, plus Spain and the Basque Country.

The fairy tale continues.

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