Dejan Iliev has signed with Rapid as a replacement for Franz Stolz. Dejan Iliev stated that he is very happy to be there and that it is a great honor to arrive at what he described as the biggest club in Romania and a top club with a rich history. He said that he cannot wait to meet the fans and his teammates. Iliev described the atmosphere there as definitively the best he has played in. He added that he liked playing there, but that it is very hard, especially against Rapid. The player thinks the fans provide support equivalent to an additional player and that this helps a lot. He recalled being under constant pressure and losing when he played there, and reiterated that he is very happy to have signed.

Rapid's third winter transfer is Dejan Iliev, a 30-year-old North Macedonia international goalkeeper from UTA Arad. For his former club, he made 14 appearances in the SuperLiga this season, and he has earned one cap for his country. His contract with Rapid expires on June 30, 2027, and according to Transfermarkt, his current market value is €450k.