Ilia Gruev dedicates Bulgaria award to Leeds team-mates after ending three-year wait | OneFootball

Ilia Gruev has dedicated Bulgaria’s 2025 Player of the Year award to his Leeds United team-mates after finally landing the honour, following in the footsteps of Hristo Stoichkov.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the midfielder collected the accolade during this month's international break, after finishing second in 2022 and then losing out to captain Kiril Despodov in 2023 and 2024. His breakthrough follows helping Leeds return to the Premier League and featuring for them in the top flight.

Across the 2025 calendar year he made 26 Leeds appearances under Daniel Farke, trusted both in the second tier and against elite opposition. He also earned nine caps for Bulgaria.

Gruev was voted ahead of Ivaylo Chochev of Ludogrets and Despodov of PAOK. He received the trophy from Bulgarian Football Union president Georgi Ivanov, who said the award showcases what dedication can achieve for young players.

In his acceptance remarks he thanked team-mates from Leeds and the national team, his coaches, his girlfriend and his parents, and wished everyone health, happiness, luck and success. On Instagram he reflected that holding the award would have seemed impossible as a boy, called it an honour to follow the country’s greats, credited those who supported him in difficult moments and expressed pride in representing these colours.

Gruev has withdrawn from Bulgaria’s squad for this month's matches in Indonesia for personal reasons. He had been called up to face Solomon Islands, then either the host nation in the 2026 FIFA Series or St Kitts and Nevis.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk