Despite Injury – Gruev Receives Award and Major Recognition in His Debut Premier League Season!

Bulgarian midfielder Ilia Gruev, who became the first native player in over a decade to feature in the Premier League this season with Leeds, has been honored with the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Community Champion award. This marks a significant achievement for Gruev, especially considering he suffered an injury that sidelined him about a month before the end of the Premier League season, causing him to miss the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Despite his absence, Leeds secured their Premier League status, and all of Bulgaria is rooting for the player to recover for the next season in England, hoping he achieves new accolades, accomplishments, and records.

“It is a great honor for me to receive the Community Champion award from the Professional Footballers' Association. When I joined Leeds, I quickly realized that this club is a family, deeply rooted in a passionate community. Meeting so many wonderful people in the city has been incredibly rewarding. As players, we are in a privileged position, and it is our responsibility to give back to those who support us through thick and thin.

This award may bear my name, but it truly belongs to my people in the integration community, the volunteers, and everyone who works tirelessly to make Leeds a better place. Thank you to the PFA, the club, and most importantly, to the people of Leeds for welcoming me with open arms. Let's continue this journey together,” Gruev posted on his Instagram profile regarding the award.