Nico Hidalgo

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Nico Hidalgo

| image =

| caption =

| full_name = Nicolás Hidalgo García

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1992|4|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Motril, Spain

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2025|3|1|1992|4|30|df=y}}

| death_place =

| height = 1.78 m

| position = Central midfielder

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Motril

| years1 = 2010–2012

| clubs1 = Motril

| caps1 = 40

| goals1 = 4

| years2 = 2012–2014

| clubs2 = Granada B

| caps2 = 66

| goals2 = 9

| years3 = 2014–2017

| clubs3 = Juventus

| caps3 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2014–2016

| clubs4 = → Granada B (loan)

| caps4 = 59

| goals4 = 4

| years5 = 2016–2017

| clubs5 = → Cádiz (loan)

| caps5 = 24

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2017–2019

| clubs6 = Cádiz

| caps6 = 11

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2018–2019

| clubs7 = → Racing Santander (loan)

| caps7 = 34

| goals7 = 2

| years8 = 2019–2020

| clubs8 = Racing Santander

| caps8 = 29

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2020–2022

| clubs9 = Extremadura

| caps9 = 0

| goals9 = 0

}}

Nicolás "Nico" Hidalgo García (30 April 1992 – 1 March 2025) was a Spanish footballer who played as a central midfielder.

Career

Born in Motril, Granada, Nico graduated from Motril CF's youth setup, and made his senior debuts in the 2010–11 campaign, in Tercera División. On 25 June 2012, he moved to fellow league team Granada CF B,{{cite web|url=http://granadacf.ideal.es/noticias/2012-06-25/411759-nico-motril-sergio-martin-maracena.html|title=Nico (Motril CF) y Sergio Martín (UD Maracena) firman por el Granada B|trans-title=Nico (Motril CF) and Sergio Martín (UD Maracena) sign for Granada B|publisher=Ideal|language=es|date=25 June 2012|accessdate=3 December 2014}} appearing regularly as his side were promoted to Segunda División B in his first season.

On 19 August 2014, Nico signed for Juventus FC, being immediately loaned back to the Rojiblancos for one year.{{cite web|url=http://granadacf.ideal.es/noticias/201408/19/nico-marcelo-firmaron-juve-20140819005604.html|title=Nico y Marcelo firmaron por la 'Juve' antes de su concentración en La Manga|trans-title=Nico and Marcelo signed for 'Juve' before their concentration in La Manga|publisher=Ideal|language=es|date=19 August 2014|accessdate=11 July 2015}} On 3 December he made his first team debut, replacing fellow debutant Daniel Larsson in the 71st minute of a 1–0 home win against Córdoba CF, for the campaign's Copa del Rey.{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2014_15/copa/dieciseisavos/ida/gda_cor/|title=Sólo un trago en Granada|trans-title=Only one sip in Granada|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=3 December 2014|accessdate=3 December 2014}}

On 15 July 2016, Nico was loaned to Segunda División club Cádiz CF, for one year.{{cite web|url=https://web.cadizcf.com/noticia/15704/nico-hidalgo-segundo-refuerzo-cadista|title=Nico Hidalgo, segundo refuerzo cadista|trans-title=Nico Hidalgo, second addition cadista|publisher=Cádiz CF|language=es|date=15 July 2016|accessdate=15 July 2016}} The following 15 March, he agreed to a permanent two-year deal with the club, effective as of 1 July.{{cite web|url=https://www.cadizcf.com/noticia/nico-hidalgo-firma-por-el-cadiz-hasta-2019|title=Nico Hidalgo firma por el Cádiz hasta 2019|trans-title=Nico Hidalgo signs for Cádiz until 2019|publisher=Cádiz CF|language=es|date=15 March 2017|access-date=31 August 2018}}

On 26 August 2018, after being sparingly used, Hidalgo was loaned to third division side Racing de Santander for the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.cadizcf.com/noticia/nico-hidalgo-se-marcha-cedido-al-racing-de-santander|title=Nico Hidalgo se marcha cedido al Racing de Santander|trans-title=Nico Hidalgo moves out on loan at Racing de Santander|publisher=Cádiz CF|language=es|date=28 August 2018|access-date=31 August 2018}} The following 23 July, after achieving promotion to the second division, he signed a permanent contract with the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.cadizcf.com/noticia/traspasado-nico-hidalgo-al-racing-de-santander|title=Traspasado Nico Hidalgo al Racing de Santander|trans-title=Nico Hidalgo transferred to Racing de Santander|publisher=Cádiz CF|language=es|date=23 July 2019|accessdate=24 July 2019}}

On 11 August 2020, after suffering immediate relegation, Hidalgo joined fellow relegated side Extremadura UD.{{cite web|url=https://www.extremaduraud.com/nico-hidalgo-nuevo-refuerzo-azulgrana/|title=Nico Hidalgo, nuevo refuerzo azulgrana|trans-title=Nico Hidalgo, new blue-and-red addition|publisher=Extremadura UD|language=es|date=11 August 2020|accessdate=3 October 2020}}

Death

Hidalgo died from lung cancer on 1 March 2025, at the age of 32.{{cite news |title=Spanish footballer Hidalgo dies of cancer aged 32 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4gm25j25d4o |access-date=1 March 2025 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2025}}