| Nikola Iliev | |
| Fullname: | Nikola Iliyanov Iliev[1] |
| Birth Date: | 6 June 2004 |
| Birth Place: | Yudelnik, Bulgaria |
| Height: | 1.83 m |
| Position: | Attacking midfielder, forward |
| Currentclub: | Botev Plovdiv |
| Clubnumber: | 21 |
| Youthyears1: | 2016–2020 |
| Youthclubs1: | Botev Plovdiv |
| Youthyears2: | 2020–2023 |
| Youthclubs2: | Inter Milan |
| Years1: | 2019–2020 |
| Clubs1: | Botev Plovdiv |
| Caps1: | 2 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2022–2024 |
| Clubs2: | Inter Milan |
| Caps2: | 0 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs3: | → CSKA 1948 II (loan) |
| Caps3: | 1 |
| Goals3: | 1 |
| Years4: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs4: | → CSKA 1948 (loan) |
| Caps4: | 21 |
| Goals4: | 1 |
| Years5: | 2024– |
| Clubs5: | Botev Plovdiv |
| Caps5: | 2 |
| Goals5: | 1 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2021–2023 |
| Nationalteam1: | Bulgaria U19 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 14 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 3 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2023– |
| Nationalteam2: | Bulgaria U21 |
| Nationalcaps2: | 6 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 2 |
| Nationalyears3: | 2022– |
| Nationalteam3: | Bulgaria |
| Nationalcaps3: | 8 |
| Nationalgoals3: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 12:18, 29 July 2024 (UTC) |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 08:28, 22 November 2023 (UTC) |
Nikola Iliyanov Iliev (Bulgarian: Никола Илиянов Илиев; born 6 June 2004) is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and forward for Bulgarian First League club Botev Plovdiv and the Bulgaria national team. He was included in The Guardian "Next Generation" list for 2021.[2]
Born in Yudelnik, Slivo Pole Municipality, Iliev began his football career at Botev Plovdiv.[3] He made his professional debut for the team in a league match against Slavia Sofia on 29 September 2019.[4] In June 2020, he completed his move to Inter Milan, signing a 4-year contract.[5]
On 31 May 2022, Iliev scored the winning goal for Inter U19 against Roma U19, making Inter Serie A Primavera champions.[6]
On 26 October 2022, he scored all 4 goals in Inter's 4–2 win against Viktoria Plzeň in the UEFA Youth League.[7]
On 5 February 2023, he was announced as Bulgarian Youth Footballer of 2022.[8]
On 10 August 2023, Iliev joined CSKA 1948 on a one-year loan with an option to make the transfer permanent.[9]
Iliev received his first call-up for the Bulgaria senior national team on 5 September 2022, for the UEFA Nations League games against Gibraltar and North Macedonia on 23 and 26 September 2022.[10] He made his debut in the match against Gibraltar, won 5–1 by Bulgaria.[11]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Botev Plovdiv | 2019–20 | First League | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2020–21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| CSKA 1948 (loan) | 2023–24 | First League | 21 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 2 | |
| CSKA 1948 II (loan) | 2023–24 | Second League | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Botev Plovdiv | 2024–25 | First League | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | |
| Career total | 26 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33 | 5 | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | 2022 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 8 | 0 |