Bulgarian international defender Valentin Iliev joined Norwich City on trial during January 2008 but Glenn Roeder explained to the Pink Un on 11th January 2008 that it would be unlikely that the CSKA Sofia defender would sign for City:

“He is a decent player but we know he will need a work permit and we are not by any means confident that he would get a work permit because he doesn't come close enough to playing the 75% of full internationals that is required,” explained Roeder. “So it is unlikely to happen, very unlikely to happen, because of that - and that would be the same if he went to any club in England so I am sure he will have to return home.”

Iliev started his career in his home town Vratsa,where he played in the local team Botev. In June 2001 he signed with Ukrainian club Metalurg from Zaporizhzhya. In 3 years Valentin participated in only 21 matches and scored 1 goal. In November 2004 Iliev joined Bulgarian giants CSKA Sofia. He made his international debut in 2005 and had 11 caps at the time of his trial with Norwich.