As Werder continue to build their squad for the 2022/23 season, the club have managed to extend youngster Ilia Gruev’s contract.
As Werder continue to build their squad for the 2022/23 season, the club have managed to extend youngster Ilia Gruev’s contract.
“We’re delighted that we’ve been able to tie down an academy graduate in Ilia to a new deal. He’s been in the first team for a while now and took a big step in his development last year. We see a lot of potential in him and we’re certain that he will continue to development,” said Clemens Fritz, head of scouting and professional football.
“Ilia is a clever footballer with a good technique and he showed that he can help us in midfield last season. I believe that he can continue developing and he can hold his own in the Bundesliga,” explained head coach Ole Werner.
For Gruev, the decision to extend his contract was an easy one: “I’ve proudly been a Werder player for eight years now and I’m glad to be staying. After positive conversations with the bosses at this special club, I knew I wanted to sign a contract extension. I would like to thank the club for the trust they have placed in me and the fans for their amazing support.”
Ilia Gruev joined Werder Bremen aged 15 in summer 2015 and worked his way up through the academy. The midfielder, with 12 caps for Bulgaria’s U21s, has made 29 appearances in all competitions for the first team to date (1 goal), and also featured 19 times for SVW’s U23s.
