Confirmed: Bremen sell Gruev to Leeds
Bulgarian midfielder Ilia Gruev's transfer to EFL Championship side Leeds United has been confirmed.
Ilia Gruev's rumored move to Leeds United is finally through. The EFL Championship side did not disclose the fee paid to the Bulgarian's Bundesliga side SV Werder Bremen, but reports from Bremen's "Deichstube" fan-site emerging earlier suggested that the Hanseaten have pocketed around €5 million for the 23-year-old. The site has even suggested that the fee may be closer to €6.5 million.
In confirming Gruev's departure on their website, Bremen released a statement wishing the youngster who joined their youth ranks in 2015 well. Gruev made 59 senior team appearances for Bremen in the first and second German footballing divisions. He began to attract attention from other clubs following some spirited performances in midfield last season. Gruev signs a new four-year-deal to play in Yorkshire.
"Ilia has developed very well with us in recent years," Bremen personnel executive Clemens Fritz noted in a statement, "He trained at our academy, made the leap into the professional team and became a senior international with us. He now wants to continue his development at another club. We have complied with his wish by transferring him to England and wish him all the best for his further path and the new task in Leeds."