Ilia Gruev has hinted he would like to stay at Leeds United beyond the expiry of his contract next year.
The 25-year-old is in the final 18 months of his current Leeds contract, which is due to expire in the summer of 2027.
The Bulgaria international has shown he can cut it in the Premier League and has indicated he would like to help establish Leeds there in the long term.
Ilia Gruev has won the faith of Leeds United manager Daniel Farke.placeholder image
Ilia Gruev has won the faith of Leeds United manager Daniel Farke. | Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Ilia Gruev on his Leeds United future and competition for minutes
When asked about life beyond 2027 by Leeds Live, Gruev said: “The long-term goal of Leeds is to be an established Premier League club again - this is a thing where I also can see myself.”
Leeds invested in their midfield following the Championship title triumph, adding Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff to Daniel Farke’s squad.
Gruev has had to fight for minutes but has insisted he knew his chance to impress would come.
He said: “I knew that when we got promoted to the Premier League that other players will come in. We need a big squad and a really good squad with good players. There will be periods where you have to be a little bit patient, but never to self-doubt.
“Sometimes these are decisions from coaches which are taken. It's nothing against a player personally, sometimes the coach has this feeling that another player suits the technical or things better. I knew that my chance would come at some point and then I have to be there to perform.”
“I think at the end the most a coach can value you is with playing time, which is really important. But I also had this feeling when I didn't play a lot that he (Farke) still relies on me and that he still never doubted me which is really important.
"The coach knows what he will get from me - to play very consistent. I think consistency is a really, really big quality, I think. And this is what I try to do."
Leeds United’s Ilia Gruev has been in excellent form of late.placeholder image
Leeds United’s Ilia Gruev has been in excellent form of late. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Praise from Daniel Farke
Leeds’ boss said: “Today, he was a mix of [his] Bulgarian roots, [Hristo] Stoichkov, and Lothar Matthäus, with my German roots. He was, defensive-wise, everywhere. He played the key passes offensive-wise with an ingenious left foot. Two assists, many many key passes, I think he was outstanding.”