Iliya Iliev

Iliya Raychev Iliev is a Bulgarian midfielder of Botev Vratsa. He was born on 20 December 1974.

In 1993 the youngster finished the youth football academy of Septemvri Sofia and sealed his first professional deal with the club. He played a leading role in the club’s promotion to the top division in 1998 after a 37-year break. In the 1998/99 Iliev debuted in the A PFG, making 23 outings during the tournament, but Septemvri won only 4 matches and were again relegated to the B group.

In 2000, the player was acquired by Litex Lovech in a transfer deal worth €40,000. He earned only 10 league appearances for Litex. After having failed to break through to the first-team, Iliya agreed to the contract with Spartak Varna in early 2002.

In 2003, Iliev transferred to the Russian club Terek Grozny. He became a regular first team player, hitting the net on 3 occasions throughout 30 games in the Russian 1st Division. But, at the end of the 2003 season, Iliya returned to Bulgaria and joined Marek Dupnitsa. There he spent a 2-and-a-half-year period with 66 league appearances and 4 goals.

In July 2006, the midfielder moved to Slavia Sofia.

In June 2008, Iliya accepted an offer from Lokomotiv Mezdra and signed a deal with the club. On 24 October, he fired a hat-trick in the winning match over Lokomotiv Sofia. The Bulgarian netted 8 goals in 15 appearances during a half-season at Lokomotiv. In December 2008, he sealed a 3-year contract with Sliven 2000.

In June 2010, the deal with Sliven was cancelled and the footballer returned to Slavia Sofia. Iliev earned 24 league appearances during the 2010/11 season. In the 1st half of the following season, he found the net twice in 9 games.

On 14 December 2011, Botev Vratsa welcomed Iliev into the fold. He debut fell on 3 March 2012 in a 0-1 home defeat to his former club Slavia. Iliya opened his account with Botev on 22 April in the game versus Chernomorets Burgas. In August 2012, Iliev began wearing captain's armband.