[1] Iliev started his professional career with Septemvri Sofia after coming up through their youth academy.

He played a major[citation needed] part in the club's promotion to the A PFG in 1998, after a 37-year exile.

In 1998–99 season he made his debut in the top flight, making 23 appearances during the campaign,[2] but Septemvri won just four games and were relegated.

However, at the end of 2003 season in Russia, he returned to Bulgaria and signed for Marek Dupnitsa.

Iliev made his second Slavia debut as a substitute in a 1–0 home loss against Kaliakra Kavarna on 31 July.