Born in Curitiba, Ilan was initially scouted and signed by Paraná Clube, and subsequently made his full-professional debut in a Campeonato Paranaense game in the 1999 season.

He remained at the club during the 2000 season, and was instrumental in helping the team to place fifth in the Copa João Havelange — which put Paraná back amongst the elites of Brazilian football.

Although Ilan was mainly used as a substitute, his impact was pivotal during the final of the Brazilian Championship, in which he started the match in place of fellow striker Kléber Boas.

He returned to full fitness ready for the 2003 season and quickly made up for his absence by becoming a regular goalscorer for the club.

Ilan adapted well to the French league and scored 13 goals for Sochaux in his debut season in which he became a key player and a fan favourite.

In the second half in the 2006–07 season, he scored an overhead kick in a 2–0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain which later earned him the Trophées UNFP du football Goal of the Year award.

In his first season, he scored nine goals in Ligue 1 while the club did not meet the fans' expectations reaching only 11th place in the league.

In the 2008–09 season, he was Saint-Étienne's top scorer in the UEFA Cup where the club played after 27 years of absence from international football.

[1] On 1 February 2010, West Ham United confirmed the signing of Brazilian forward Ilan on a six-month contract.

[3] In March 2010 the press speculated that Ilan had openly criticised manager Gianfranco Zola;[4] a claim later refuted by the player and the club.

[7] After being released by West Ham United, Ilan had been linked to the Hammers league rivals Bolton Wanderers and Scottish runners-up Celtic as well as clubs in Turkey and Greece.

On 24 August 2010, Sport Club Internacional announced that Ilan would be undergoing a medical and physical exams before signing a 1.5-year contract.

[10] A free agent after his release from Internacional, Ilan returned to the Ligue 1 on 28 July 2011 signing for league newcomers Ajaccio on a one-year deal with an option for a further season.