Hugo Nicolini was born on November 15, 1949 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He started his career with Lanus in Argentina.
Before the start of the 1972 National Soccer League season Hugo joined Toronto Italia. Italia won the 1972 National Soccer League Playoff Championship.
In the 1973 National Soccer League season Toronto Italia finished in fifth place in the final standings of the 16-team league.
Hugo helped Italia win the NSL Cup in the 1974 season.
In the 1975 National Soccer League season Toronto Italia won the NSL Championship.
Before the start of the 1976 National Soccer League season Hugo joined Montreal Castors. He helped the Beavers finish in second place in the final standings in the 1976 NSL season and win the NSL Championship in the 1977 NSL Season.
In January 1978 Hugo signed for North American Soccer League club Rochester Lancers. Former Serbian White Eagles coach Dragan Popovic was Lancers’ head coach. Upon the signing of Nicolini he commented that he had tried to sign him for two years. Nicolini himself commented to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle on 11 February 1978 that “This is a much better league, and I have a better future here.
The 6-0 and 175 lbs defender became a Canadian citizen before the start of the 1978 NASL season. He played in 24 league games, ans score one goal and had two assists during the 1978 season.
Hugo joined Greek Panhellenic in Toronto before the start of the 1981 National Soccer League season.
In 1982, he returned to his former club Toronto Italia. Playing as a sweeper he starred for Italia when they beat Glasgow Celtic 4-1 on July 16, 1982.
In 1983 he played with the Hamilton Steelers in the ill-fated Canadian Professional Soccer League. The Steelers also had a reserve team playing in the 1983 National Soccer League season.