Bulgarian midfielder makes impact beyond football

Bulgarian football player Ilia Gruev received a PFA Community Champion award for his charitable work during the 2025/26 Premier League season.

"I am incredibly honoured," the Leeds United midfielder wrote on Instagram.

The award, handed by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), highlights players who have made their work with communities and good causes central to their role as a professional footballer, the PFA official website notes, CE Report quotes BTA.

"When I joined Leeds United, I quickly realized this club is a family deeply rooted in a passionate community. Meeting so many amazing people across the city has been incredibly rewarding. As players, we are in a privileged position and it’s our responsibility to give back to those who support us through everything," Gruev wrote.

"This award might have my name on it, but it truly belongs to my people at Community Integrated Care, the volunteers and everyone working tirelessly to make Leeds a better place. Thank you to the PFA, the club and most importantly, the people of Leeds for always welcoming me with open arms. We keep marching on together," he added.

The Premier League is the strongest football league according to UEFA’s ratings. This season Gruev became the first Bulgarian in it since Aleksandar Tonev who played his last match for Aston Villa on April 5, 2014.

After falling out of the first 11 in the early parts of the season, Gruev fought for his place in the starting lineup and accumulated 23 league appearances before suffering season-ending meniscus injury in April. He helped the club avoid relegation.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM (Ilia Gruev)