Burnley star reacts as Leeds United player makes announcement while on international duty

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The international break is in full flow following Leeds United’s draw against QPR on the weekend with 16 players on the books at Elland Road called up by their countries during the March break.

Joe Rodon, Dan James and Karl Darlow are with Wales while a handful of Leeds youngsters have been included in U21, U20 and U19 squads. Even some out on loan like Rasmus Kristensen have been called up.

Isaac Schmidt has won his first Switzerland call-up but Brenden Aaronson has been left at Elland Road by Mauricio Pochettino. The first round of games is yet to take place, but a Leeds player has won an award.

Indeed, Ilia Gruev has been announced as Bulgaria’s second-best player of the year behind PAOK star Kiril Despedov. It is the second time in two years that Gruev has got second, losing to Despedov last season.

• READ MORE: Michael Bridges says Leeds player has given Daniel Farke a “massive problem”

Ilia Gruev posts on Instagram after being handed Bulgaria award

It might have come as a little bit of a shock for Gruev that he has secured second place given the Leeds midfielder spent the final three months of 2024 sidelined with a knee injury, picking up against Norwich.

Gruev is fit again but even not he is only being used as a rotational option by Daniel Farke, often playing the away games and Joe Rothwell coming in at home. Gruev posted on Instagram after winning second.

He said: “Thank you for the award and congrats to my fellow nominees! We’ll see us again next year.”

Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony among those to congratulate Ilia Gruev

Last summer saw Jaidon Anthony leave Leeds having played alongside Gruev and helped Leeds achieve a place in the play-off final. But the winger left after The Whites could not beat Southampton at Wembley.

Anthony left Bournemouth on loan again last summer to join Burnley, who are now in direct competition with Leeds. The wide man has formed a solid partnership with Connor Roberts on Burnle’s right flank.

He congratulated Gruev after the midfielder picked up the second-place gong on Monday, commenting two fire emojis. Leeds stars Wilfried Gnonto, Josuha Guilavogui and Largie Ramazani also reacted.

Gruev will be in action for his country on Thursday night and then Sunday, with Bulgaria taking on Ireland both home and away over the the course of the next six days. It is likely Gruev plays every single minute.