Valentin Iliev

Valentin Iliev is a center back for Volyn Lutsk. He was born on 11 August, 1980 in Knezha, Bulgaria.

Valentin graduated from the academy of Bulgarian Botev Vratsa in 1998, after six years of training. During that period Valentin was preparing for the start of his professional career, and in 1998 signed for Botev on a three-year contract. By 2001 Iliev made a total of 37 appearances and scored 2 goals for the club.

In 2001 Valentin became part of Ukrainian side Metalurh, for which he played until 2004. This period of Iliev’s professional career wasn’t something special, because the defender made only 21 appearances, and earned little playing experience. In 2004 Valentin Iliev returned to Bulgaria to join CSKA Sofia. Here the defender stayed until 2007, periodically featuring in the starting lineup, with a total of 79 matches and 7 goals.

In 2008 Iliev moved to Terek Grozny, for which he played for season and a half. During this period of his career Valentin remained a key defender, taking part in 47 matches and scoring 5 goals. In 2010 Iliev sealed a deal with Romanian Universitatea Craiova, where he played for one season, featuring in 25 matches and scored 6 goals. From 2011 to 2012 Valentin defended the colors of Steaua Bucureşti, for which he featured in 26 games and scored 4 goals. Since 2012 Iliev is a center back for Ukrainian side Volyn Lutsk.

Since 2005 Valentin Iliev won 23 caps for the national team of Bulgaria.