Ilia Gruev

LEE

• #44 • Center Midfielder

Ilia Gruev

LEE

• #44 • Center Midfielder

Nationality

Bulgaria

Preferred Foot

Left

Birthdate

May 6, 2000

Age

Height

6'1"

Weight

159 lb

Primary Position

Secondary Position

Role

Box-to-Box

League

Premier League

Club

Leeds United

Ranking

299thout of 567

Overall Grade63.2324th/567

Impact score5.3314th/567

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Timeline

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Grades

Key Grades

This season

Overall

70th/136 MID

63.2

Passing

49th/136 MID

70.1

Fifty Fifty Duel

11th/125 MID

82.5

Shooting

103rd/115 MID

56.3

Tackling

124th/128 MID

Ball Carrying

90th/123 MID

59.8

Overall Grades by game

This season

Metrics

Key Metrics

Appearances

1489

Minutes

Goals

Assists

News

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.

Feb 8, 2026

Supplies two assists in win

Gruev assisted twice to go with two shots (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and two corners in Friday's 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Analysis: Gruev played a pinpoint ball over the top to setup Leeds United's opening goal Friday before supplying the cross that led to their third in a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest. In addition to his goal contributions, the midfielder added one interception, two clearances and one block to the defensive effort. Gruev has been named to the starting XI in seven successive league fixtures. Friday's 90-minute shift was his first full 90 minutes since late Nov.