Nikola Iliev

In this Bulgarian name, the patronymic is Iliyanov and the family name is Iliev.

Nikola Iliev

Personal information
Full name	Nikola Iliyanov Iliev[1]
Date of birth	(2004-06-06) 6 June 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth	Yudelnik, Bulgaria[2]
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder, forward
Team information
Current team	Botev Plovdiv
Number	21
Youth career
2016–2020	Botev Plovdiv
2020–2023	Inter Milan
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2020	Botev Plovdiv	2	(0)
2022–2024	Inter Milan	0	(0)
2023–2024	→ CSKA 1948 II (loan)	1	(1)
2023–2024	→ CSKA 1948 (loan)	21	(1)
2024–	Botev Plovdiv	12	(1)
International career^‡
2021–2023	Bulgaria U19	14	(3)
2023–	Bulgaria U21	9	(3)
2022–	Bulgaria	8	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 07:36, 12 December 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:33, 14 October 2024 (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's "Next Generation" list for 2021.[3]

Career

Born in Yudelnik, Slivo Pole Municipality, Iliev began his football career at Botev Plovdiv.[4] He made his professional debut for the team in a league match against Slavia Sofia on 29 September 2019.[5] In June 2020, he completed his move to Inter Milan, signing a 4-year contract.[6]

On 31 May 2022, Iliev scored the winning goal for Inter U19 against Roma U19, making Inter Serie A Primavera champions.[7]

On 26 October 2022, he scored all 4 goals in Inter's 4–2 win against Viktoria Plzeň in the UEFA Youth League.[8]

On 5 February 2023, he was announced as Bulgarian Youth Footballer of 2022.[9]

On 10 August 2023, Iliev joined CSKA 1948 on a one-year loan with an option to make the transfer permanent.[10]

International career

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.[11] He made his debut in the match against Gibraltar, won 5–1 by Bulgaria.[12]

Career statistics

Club

As of 29 July 2024[13]

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[a]	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

Notes

1. Appearances in the Bulgarian Cup

International

As of 20 June 2023

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Bulgaria	2022	4	0
	2023	4	0
	Total	8	0

Honours

Individual

• Bulgarian Youth Footballer of the Year: 2022[14]

References

1. "Nikola Iliev - Stats and titles won". footballdatabase.eu. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
2. Nikola Iliev at WorldFootball.net
3. "Next Generation 2021: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
4. "Ботев (Пловдив) получил от Интер парите за Никола Илиев" (in Bulgarian). bnr.bg. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
5. С 10 души Славия победи Ботев, отмениха гол на "канарчетата" при доста спорни обстоятелства
6. Никола Илиев подписа с Интер за 4 години
7. Герой в Италия! Фамозен гол на Никола Илиев донесе шампионска титла на Интер U19
8. Inter-Plzeň | UEFA Youth League 2022/23
9. Никола Илиев грабна приза за най-прогресиращ млад играч в българския футбол
10. "Nikola Iliev joins CSKA 1948 Sofia" (Press release). Inter Milan. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
11. Кръстаич обяви играчите за Гибралтар и Северна Македония, Чочев и Михайлов са аут
12. Зрелищен успех за младата България в дебюта на Младен Кърстаич
13. Nikola Iliev at Soccerway
14. Kichukov, Simeon (5 February 2023). "За трети път Кирил Десподов беше избран за Футболист №1 на България". dnevnik.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 11 February 2023.