Leeds United midfielder Ilia Gruev has discussed the unusual nickname he has been given by his teammates.
Bulgarian international Ilia Gruev is now in his third season with Leeds, having joined under Daniel Farke during their first season in the Championship.
Gruev was a crucial part of the Leeds side that won promotion back to the Premier League last season, playing 23 times in the Championship and providing two assists.
The son of a former footballer and manager, Iliya Gruev, the Leeds man spent much of his youth growing up in Germany and began his career at Werder Bremen.
As Gruev prepares to take on Wolves this weekend, he has explained how his time in Germany helped him develop an unexpected hobby and inspired his nickname off the field.
Ilia Gruev explains his unusual nickname from Leeds United teammates
Speaking to BBC West Yorkshire Sport ahead of Leeds’ crucial clash with Wolves, Gruev gave an insight into his interests away from the football pitch.
Asked whether his teammates called him “The Prime Minister”, Gruev said: “Sometimes they give me special names. Willy sometimes says, ‘You behave like a 40-year-old,’ which I don’t know if it’s a compliment or not. But yeah, things like this, it’s funny, it’s a good joke.”
Explaining where the name comes from, Gruev explained that growing up in Germany gave him an interest in economics and politics, which he shares with his mum.
He continued: “I am very interested in other things than football. Of course, football is also my number one, and I watch as many games as I can. But I really like to read. I like politics, especially in Germany, because I grew up there. I like finance and the economy.
“Some like to cook, some like to play PlayStation or to go for a walk. I like to read things, to develop a little bit, to look a little bit further than football. And I think I got this also from my mum, she’s also very interested in a lot of things, and I think I got it from her. It’s a hobby.”
Gruev isn’t the only Leeds player with an interest in politics
Whilst Gruev’s interest in finance, economics and politics does not fit the typical stereotype of a footballer in the UK, he is not the only recent Leeds player with an interest in politics.
Gruev’s midfield partner, Ao Tanaka, made the headlines when his image was used as the main visual for a mayoral election in Japan.
Recently departed Leeds striker Patrick Bamford also used his platform as a player to speak out about environmental issues, previously celebrating by making a hand gesture to support a climate change cause.
With Bamford having left the club in the summer transfer window, Gruev has one less person in the Leeds dressing room to discuss matters of state with.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
