Ilia Gruev

LEE

• #44 • Center Midfielder

Ilia Gruev

LEE

• #44 • Center Midfielder

Nationality

Bulgaria

Position

Role

Box-to-Box

Birthdate (Age)

May 6, 2000 (26)

Preferred Foot

Left

Height

6'1"

Weight

159 lb

Club

Leeds United

League

Premier League

Ranking

87thout of 111

Overall Grade62.570th/111

Impact score4.777th/111

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Timeline

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Grades

Key Grades

This season

Overall

73rd/137 MID

Passing

54th/137 MID

69.6

Fifty Fifty Duel

10th/129 MID

79.8

Shooting

102nd/117 MID

56.4

Tackling

127th/131 MID

Ball Carrying

92nd/124 MID

59.7

Overall Grades by game

This season

Metrics

Key Metrics

Appearances

1487

Minutes

Goals

Assists

Matches

No matches scheduled

News

Jul 14, 2026

Back for start of preseason

Gruev (knee) was present for the first day of preseason training, the club posted.

Analysis: Gruev's season ended early in April due to a meniscus knee injury, and he spent much of the summer continuing his rehabilitation in his native Bulgaria. His presence on day one suggests the recovery has progressed on schedule despite the setback. The midfielder, who was named 2025 Bulgarian Player of the Year, has a year remaining on his contract, meaning he can discuss pre-contract terms with overseas clubs beginning in January if no extension is reached before then. Gruev is expected to continue building toward full training as Leeds' preseason progresses.

Apr 23, 2026

Done for season

Gruev is done for the season due to a meniscus injury, according to manager Daniel Farke. "Yes, sadly, bad news. So, a meniscus injury is confirmed. It will keep him definitely out for the whole season. He won't be able to help us for the run-in, not in the FA Cup, and also not in the league. We expect to have him back more or less for pre-season then, but he won't feature during this season anymore. It is, of course, not ideal for us, and we all feel for him."

Analysis: Gruev is not going to play again this season after it was announced he suffered a bad injury, as the midfielder now deals with a meniscus injury. Unfortunately, there is no chance of a return this season, as he will instead set his sights on being fit for the preseason. This will leave the club without depth in the midfield, a rough loss as they deal with the injury of Anton Stach (ankle), possibly opening up more time for Sean Longstaff and Ao Tanaka. Gruev ends the season starting in 15 of his 23 appearances, recording no goals on seven shots and three assists on 11 chances created.