Ilia Gruev has been bestowed the runner-up prize for Bulgarian footballer of the year following his 12 months at Leeds United and with the national team.
Gruev became a staple in Daniel Farke ’s line up during the second half of last season, beginning all but two of the Whites’ 20 Championship matches before starting the three play-off games, including the final at Wembley.
The 24-year-old began the first eight games of the current Championship season before damaging his knee cartilage in October. Gruev made a speedy return given the nature of the setback, returning to action just three months later.
His injury meant he missed international duty for Bulgaria during October and November having played in both Nations League matches in September. In those games, the team did not concede against Belarus (a 0-0 draw) or Northern Ireland (a 1-0 win) when he was in defensive midfield.
In the return trip to Northern Ireland, Bulgaria lost 5-0. This break, Gruev has been selected to represent Bulgaria in the League B Nations League play-offs against the Republic Of Ireland, with the home leg on Thursday and the away leg on Sunday.
Ahead of those matches, Gruev was named as the runner up for the Bulgarian player of the year, losing out to national team captain Kiril Despodov of PAOK, who won the top prize for the fourth year in a row.
Taking to Instagram after the ceremony, Gruev said: “Thank you for the award and congrats to my fellow nominees! We’ll see us again next year.”
