Dejan Iliev (; born 25 February 1995) is a Macedonian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.
Career Early life Iliev was born in Strumica, Macedonia and first played youth club football for his hometown club of FK Belasica. He was spotted by Arsenal scouts and signed to join their academy in London in 2012.
Arsenal Iliev joined the Arsenal Academy immediately upon signing the youth contract. He signed a three-year contract extension from March 2015 until June 2018, when he signed another extension. Iliev appeared three times in the Arsenal squad as an unused substitute: against Norwich in the Carabao Cup in October 2017; and twice in the UEFA Europa League: against Qarabağ and against Chelsea in the final as the third goalkeeper.
Iliev's contract with the club was terminated in January 2022 by mutual consent.
Loan to Sereď In July 2019, he moved to ŠKF Sereď for a one-year loan, and on the 22nd of the same month he made his debut for his new club in the 2–0 loss to Spartak Trnava.
Loan to Jagiellonia Białystok After an early end to his loan with ŠKF Sereď, Iliev opted to join Polish Ekstraklasa club Jagiellonia Białystok for the remainder of the 2019–20 season. He made four appearances after suffering an injury.
Loan to Shrewsbury Town On 8 October 2020, Iliev joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a short-term loan deal. On 28 January 2021, he returned to Arsenal.
Second loan to Sereď On 26 July 2021, Arsenal announced that Iliev had returned to ŠKF Sereď on a season-long loan deal.
AS Trenčín On 7 February 2022, Iliev signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Fortuna Liga club AS Trenčín. He made his debut in goal on 30 April in a 5–2 victory against Tatran Liptovský Mikuláš.
HJK Helsinki On 8 February 2023, Iliev signed with HJK Helsinki in Finland for the 2023 season, with an option for 2024. On 1 August 2023, it was announced that Iliev will be ruled out for the rest of the season following an elbow injury suffered in a Veikkausliiga match against SJK Seinäjoki.HJK:n maalivahti Dejan Iliev joutuu leikkaukseen – sivussa loppukauden, Yle, Juuso Koskinen, 1 August 2023 At the end of the season, HJK did not exercise their option and Iliev was released.
Sarajevo In December 2023, Iliev signed with Bosnian Premier League club Sarajevo.Dejan Iliev novi golman FK Sarajevo, faktor.ba, 12 December 2023Macedonian national goalkeeper Iliev is linked with a transfer to FC Sarajevo?!, slobodenpecat.mk, 9 December 2023 At the end of the season, the club decided not to extend Iliev's contract.
UTA Arad On 18 June 2024, Iliev signed with Liga I club UTA Arad.
International career Iliev has appeared for Macedonia's under-19 and under-21 teams a total of ten times. He has been called up to the senior squad and made his debut in 2022.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsArsenal2017–18Premier League000000000000Sereď (loan)2019–20Slovak First League18000———180Jagiellonia Białystok (loan)2019–20Ekstraklasa40————40Shrewsbury Town (loan)2020–21League One3000——0030Sereď (loan)2021–22Slovak First League9010———100Trenčín2021–22Slovak First League3000——2050HJK Helsinki2023Veikkausliiga80002010—110Sarajevo2023–24Bosnian Premier League12020———140UTA Arad2024–25Liga I19010———2002025–26Liga I14000———140Total33010———340Rapid București2025–26Liga I2000———202026–27Liga I00————00Total2000———20Career total920402010601050
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNorth Macedonia202210Total10
Honours Arsenal UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2018–19
HJK Veikkausliiga: 2023 Finnish League Cup: 2023
References