Ilia Gruev (footballer, born 2000)

Ilia Iliev Gruev (Илия Илиев Груев; born 6 May 2000) is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Leeds United and the Bulgaria national team.

Gruev made his professional debut for Werder Bremen in the second round of the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal on 23 December 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 87th minute for Jean-Manuel Mbom against Hannover 96.

The away match finished as a 3–0 win for Bremen.

On 31 August 2023, Gruev signed for EFL Championship club Leeds United on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

He was voted man of the match in the league match win against Cardiff City, completing 68 out of 70 passes, an impressive 97% accuracy that was a record for Leeds player.

On 6 February he again received the man of the match award, in Leeds' FA Cup win at Plymouth.

Gruev has appeared for the Bulgaria under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 national teams.

He received his first call-up for the senior national team on 5 September 2022, for the games of the UEFA Nations League games against Gibraltar and North Macedonia on 23 and 26 September 2022.

He made his debut in the match against Gibraltar on 23 September, won 5–1 by Bulgaria.

Gruev was born in Sofia, but also holds German citizenship.

He is the son of Iliya Gruev, former footballer and current manager.