Ilia Gruev in 2026: Net Worth and Salary, Injury, Height, Religion, Father, Girlfriend and FAQs

Ilia Gruev is the first Bulgarian to play in the Premier League in over a decade. That alone makes his story important. He is the son of a former Bulgaria international, raised in Germany, developed at Werder Bremen, and now a key midfielder for Leeds United. In a Bulgarian football scene that has struggled to produce top European talent in recent years, he is the proof that quality is still coming through.

In 2026, at 25 years old, Gruev is a Premier League player, a Bulgaria senior international, and one of the most reliable passers at Elland Road. He has come back from a serious knee injury, helped Leeds win the Championship, and recently set a Leeds Premier League record for assists in a single match. This article walks through where he stands today, his net worth, his salary, his injury history, his height, his religion, his famous father, his girlfriend, and the questions people search for the most about him online.

Who is Ilia Gruev?

Ilia Iliev Gruev was born on 6 May 2000 in Sofia, Bulgaria. His full name in Bulgarian is Илия Илиев Груев. He moved to Germany as a young boy because of his father's coaching career, and he ended up being shaped by the German football system rather than the Bulgarian one. He holds dual Bulgarian and German citizenship, which has always been part of his identity.

He started playing youth football at FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt in 2006, when his father Iliya was finishing his playing days at the same club. From early on, scouts could see he was a midfielder with high football intelligence. He was even invited to a training camp at Bayern Munich at the age of 12. At 15, he made the decision to join the Werder Bremen academy, where he stayed for the next eight years.

Gruev worked his way through every age group at Bremen, eventually becoming captain of the club's under 19 side before signing his first professional contract in April 2019. He is one of the more naturally calm midfielders to come out of the Bremen academy in recent memory, with the kind of passing ability and game reading that makes a manager trust him from day one.

Ilia Gruev Career Overview

Gruev made his senior debut for Werder Bremen on 23 December 2020 in a 3-0 DFB Pokal win against Hannover 96, coming on as a late substitute. He became a regular during the 2021 to 2022 2. Bundesliga season, featuring in 26 matches as Bremen secured promotion back to the Bundesliga, and scored his first senior goal in a 4-1 win over Schalke 04 on 23 March 2022 with a close range header.

On 31 August 2023, Leeds United signed him on a four year deal for a fee reported to be around 5 million pounds, or roughly 6 million euros. His first half season at Leeds was difficult because of Ethan Ampadu's form in the deep lying role, but his breakthrough came in January 2024 when he was given a starting chance against Cardiff City. He completed 68 of 70 passes for 97 per cent accuracy, the highest figure ever recorded by a Leeds player since the statistic began in 2013 to 2014. He was named man of the match and never looked back.

He scored a free kick in the 2023 to 2024 play off semi final second leg as Leeds beat Norwich 4-0 at Elland Road. The following season he played 23 league matches and was a regular starter in the final run of fixtures that won Leeds the 2024 to 2025 Championship title, despite missing three months with a serious knee injury earlier in that campaign.

In the 2025 to 2026 Premier League season, he has continued to be a key part of Daniel Farke's midfield rotation. On 6 February 2026, he recorded his first senior Premier League match with two assists in a 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest at Elland Road. He became the first Leeds United player to record two assists in a Premier League match since Pablo Hernandez in December 2020, which is some company to be in.

On the international stage, he received his first Bulgaria senior call up in September 2022, made his debut in a 5-1 win against Gibraltar, and has been a regular for his country since. He has appeared at every youth level from under 17 through to under 21, and he was named second in Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year awards in 2024.

Ilia Gruev Net Worth in 2026

Icon Polls estimates that Ilia Gruev's net worth in 2026 sits between 6 million and 8 million US dollars. That figure has been built across his Werder Bremen contracts, his Leeds United contract since 2023, his Bulgaria international fees, and bonus payments tied to promotion and Championship title success in the 2024 to 2025 season.

Most of his earnings have come from his three seasons at Leeds, where his wages have been significantly higher than at Werder Bremen. He has also added Premier League match fees and bonuses now that Leeds are back in the top flight in 2025 to 2026.

Off the pitch, Gruev keeps a relatively low profile. He has spoken in interviews about wanting to focus on his football and prove himself at the top level, rather than chasing celebrity attention. He has also become a quiet representative of Bulgarian football in the Premier League, which is a role he carries with real pride.

Ilia Gruev Salary and Contract in 2026

Ilia Gruev earns around 15,000 pounds per week at Leeds United in 2026, which works out to roughly 780,000 pounds per year before bonuses. That puts him on the lower end of the Leeds wage bill, similar to teammate Joël Piroe. The wage figure is in line with what Leeds paid him when he first joined the club from Werder Bremen in 2023, and it has not changed substantially since.

His current contract was signed on 31 August 2023 and runs until 30 June 2027. With just over a year left on the deal when the 2026 summer window opens, there will be ongoing questions about whether Leeds will offer him an improved new contract or whether other clubs might try to pick him up for a cut price fee. Icon Polls notes that his form has comfortably outgrown his current salary, which is the kind of position that usually leads to a renegotiation or a move.

Across his career so far, his cumulative gross earnings sit in the region of 3 to 4 million pounds, factoring in his Werder Bremen contracts, his current Leeds deal, and his Bulgaria international payments.

Ilia Gruev Injury History

Ilia Gruev's most significant injury came on 5 October 2024, when he sustained a serious right knee injury during a Championship draw at Norwich City. He was withdrawn in the 20th minute, and further assessment confirmed that he had damaged his meniscus and needed surgery. He underwent the operation a few days later and missed around three months of football, including a chunk of the title winning Championship season.

He made his return to action on 11 January 2025 in a 3-1 FA Cup third round home win over Harrogate Town, coming off the bench as a late substitute. From there he gradually worked his way back into the Leeds midfield and was a key part of the run that saw the club win the Championship title in May 2025.

Since recovering from that knee surgery, Gruev's fitness has held up well. He has been available for most of the 2025 to 2026 Premier League season and has not picked up any significant new setbacks. The way he came back from a significant knee injury within three months speaks to the quality of his rehabilitation work and his physical resilience.

Ilia Gruev's Height

Ilia Gruev stands at 1.85 metres tall, which is around 6 feet 1 inch. That makes him an imposing size for a defensive midfielder. His height fits well into Daniel Farke's recent tactic of building a Leeds squad with strong physical presence in midfield, alongside Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, Sean Longstaff, and other tall midfielders.

His height gives him real advantages in the deep lying midfield role. He competes well in the air at both ends of the pitch, he is hard to bypass when shielding the back four, and he is a serious aerial threat at set pieces. Combined with his left foot, his calm passing, and his game reading, his physical profile is exactly what most modern Premier League managers look for in a number six.

Ilia Gruev's Religion

Ilia Gruev was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and Bulgaria is a country where the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition has shaped much of the culture and history. Most Bulgarians identify as Orthodox Christian by heritage, and Gruev grew up within that cultural environment in his early years before his family moved to Germany when he was young.

Like a lot of modern footballers, Gruev has not made public statements about his personal religious practice. He has not spoken in interviews about whether he attends church regularly, whether he prays before matches, or whether he identifies with any specific religious community. His religious life is kept private.

Icon Polls notes that the assumption that Gruev has an Eastern Orthodox Christian heritage comes from his Bulgarian roots, which is the dominant religious tradition in the country, rather than from any public statement he has made about his own beliefs.

Ilia Gruev's Father

Ilia Gruev's father is Iliya Hristov Gruev, born on 30 October 1969. He was a Bulgarian professional footballer himself, a central midfielder who played for Levski Sofia, Slavia Sofia, Lokomotiv Sofia, Montana, Altay in Turkey, Neftochimik Burgas, MSV Duisburg, KFC Uerdingen 05, and finally Rot-Weiß Erfurt where he finished his playing career. He earned 13 caps for the Bulgaria senior national team between 1997 and 1999 and scored one international goal.

After hanging up his boots in 2006, Iliya moved into coaching. He worked as an assistant manager at Chernomorets Burgas, Hajduk Split, MSV Duisburg, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, and the Bulgaria national team between 2009 and 2015. He then became head coach of MSV Duisburg, where he won the 3. Liga title in 2016 to 2017 and earned promotion to the 2. Bundesliga. Since then he has worked at Werder Bremen as an assistant focused on set pieces, then at Arminia Bielefeld where he briefly served as caretaker manager, and is currently the assistant manager at Fortuna Düsseldorf in the 2. Bundesliga since October 2025.

Ilia has openly credited his father for shaping his football journey. The decision to join Werder Bremen as a teenager rather than Bayern Munich was partly because his father was already familiar with the club's setup, and his father has been there as a guide through every step of his career.

Ilia Gruev's Girlfriend

Ilia Gruev is one of the more private players in the Leeds United squad when it comes to his personal life. As of 2026, there is no publicly known girlfriend, fiancée, or partner connected to him in any reliable source. He has not shared dating updates on social media and has not appeared on the celebrity football couple scene.

He is not married and there is no public information about him having any children. He has spoken in interviews about being family focused, particularly close to his parents and grateful to the support of his family throughout his rise from Werder Bremen to the Premier League.

Icon Polls notes that Gruev's choice to keep his personal life out of the public spotlight is in line with his overall low key personality. He is a focused professional who prefers his football to do the talking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ilia Gruev

1. How old is Ilia Gruev in 2026?

Ilia Gruev is 25 years old in 2026. He was born on 6 May 2000 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and will turn 26 in May 2026.

2. What is Ilia Gruev's net worth in 2026?

Icon Polls estimates that Ilia Gruev's net worth in 2026 is between 6 million and 8 million US dollars, built from his Werder Bremen and Leeds United contracts, plus Bulgaria international fees and promotion bonuses.

3. How much does Ilia Gruev earn per week?

Ilia Gruev earns around 15,000 pounds per week at Leeds United, which works out to roughly 780,000 pounds per year before bonuses.

4. What club does Ilia Gruev play for?

Ilia Gruev plays for Leeds United in the Premier League. He joined the club on 31 August 2023 from Werder Bremen.

5. What position does Ilia Gruev play?

Ilia Gruev plays as a defensive midfielder. He is known for his composure on the ball, his passing accuracy, and his game reading in the number six role.

6. What nationality is Ilia Gruev?

Ilia Gruev is Bulgarian. He was born in Sofia and represents the Bulgaria national team. He also holds German citizenship, having spent most of his life and football career in Germany.

7. Who is Ilia Gruev's father?

Ilia Gruev's father is Iliya Hristov Gruev, a former Bulgarian international footballer who earned 13 caps for the senior national team and is now a coach. He is currently the assistant manager at Fortuna Düsseldorf in the 2. Bundesliga.

8. Does Ilia Gruev have a girlfriend?

There is no publicly known girlfriend, fiancée, or partner connected to Ilia Gruev as of 2026. He keeps his personal life very private.

9. How tall is Ilia Gruev?

Ilia Gruev is 1.85 metres tall, which is around 6 feet 1 inch. He is an imposing size for a defensive midfielder.

10. What religion is Ilia Gruev?

Ilia Gruev was born in Bulgaria, where the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition is the dominant religious heritage. He has not publicly spoken about his personal religious practice.

11. When does Ilia Gruev's contract expire?

Ilia Gruev's current contract with Leeds United expires on 30 June 2027. He signed his four year deal on 31 August 2023.

12. What was Ilia Gruev's transfer fee to Leeds?

Leeds United paid a reported fee of around 5 million pounds, or roughly 6 million euros, to sign Ilia Gruev from Werder Bremen on 31 August 2023.

13. Where was Ilia Gruev born?

Ilia Gruev was born on 6 May 2000 in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, before moving to Germany with his family at a young age.

14. Has Ilia Gruev been injured?

Yes. Ilia Gruev sustained a significant right knee meniscus injury at Norwich City in October 2024 and required surgery. He missed around three months of football and returned in January 2025. He has been mostly fit since.

15. Has Ilia Gruev played for Bulgaria?

Yes. Ilia Gruev made his senior Bulgaria debut on 23 September 2022 in a 5-1 win over Gibraltar and has been a regular for the senior national team since. He is the first Bulgarian to play in the Premier League since Aleksandar Tonev in 2014.

16. Who are Ilia Gruev's previous clubs?

Ilia Gruev played youth football for FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt before joining Werder Bremen in 2015. He spent his entire senior career at Werder Bremen before joining Leeds United in August 2023.

17. What foot does Ilia Gruev prefer?

Ilia Gruev is left footed. He uses his left foot for passing, shooting, and set pieces.

18. Did Ilia Gruev set any Leeds records?

Yes. In January 2024, Ilia Gruev set the highest passing accuracy on record for a Leeds United player with 50 or more passes in a single match, completing 68 of 70 passes for 97 per cent accuracy against Cardiff City. On 6 February 2026, he became the first Leeds player to record two assists in a Premier League match since Pablo Hernandez in December 2020.

19. What is Ilia Gruev's shirt number at Leeds?

Ilia Gruev wears the number 8 shirt for Leeds United.

20. Did Ilia Gruev win the Championship with Leeds?

Yes. Ilia Gruev won the 2024 to 2025 EFL Championship title with Leeds United, returning to the Premier League after a two year absence.

21. Who is Ilia Gruev's agent?

Ilia Gruev is represented by feel soccer GmbH, a Germany based football agency.

22. What makes Ilia Gruev stand out as a player?

Ilia Gruev stands out for his composure on the ball, his elite passing accuracy, his game reading in the deep midfield role, his height for set pieces, and his role as the first Bulgarian Premier League player in over a decade. His record breaking performances at Leeds also place him among the standout midfielders of his generation.

Ilia Gruev's story is one of patience, intelligence, and quiet determination. From the Werder Bremen academy to a Bulgarian senior international, to a Championship title with Leeds, to setting new club records in the Premier League, his career has unfolded one careful step at a time. In 2026, he is one of the most important midfielders at Elland Road and one of the most significant figures in Bulgarian football for over a decade.

Icon Polls believes that the next 12 to 18 months will be crucial for Gruev's long term future. With his contract ticking down, his form rising, and Premier League rivals likely watching closely, the next chapter could either be a new and improved Leeds deal or a step up to a bigger European club. Either way, his best years are still ahead of him.