CS:GO’s most decorated player returns to Astralis
Counter-Strike : Global Offensive’s most decorated player, Nicolai ‘dev1ce‘ Reedtz has returned to Danish esports organisation Astralis following a transfer agreement with Ninjas in Pyjamas and Astralis.
Reedtz returns to Astralis on a multi-year deal following an underwhelming stint with Swedish team Ninjas in Pyjamas between April 2021 and October 2022. Reedtz though has not played a competitive game since December 2021, after he took a mental-health break. Ever since Reedtz took a break from competitive gaming, there have been numerous rumours surrounding his future and they have all been finally answered.
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Reedtz returns to Astralis, with whom he won an unprecedented 4 Major titles, making the Danish team the greatest CS:GO team in the sport’s history. Reedtz shocked the industry in 2021, when he announced that he would be parting ways with Astralis and ever since Reedtz’s departure, the Danish powerhouse has also struggled with their form and have failed to replace Reedtz with a proper AWPer. With Reedtz returning, not only will he be reunited with his former teammates Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander and Andreas “Xyp9x” Højsleth, but the team will hope they can return to the top of the sport with their star AWPer returning. Astralis missed their first ever Major, after failing to qualify for the IEM Rio Major and it has led to multiple organisational changes including parting ways with their coach ‘Trace’.
Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz, commented,
” I can’t describe how happy I am to be home again. Astralis is very close to my heart and everyone who has been here for a period of time knows that it is a very special organisation with great values, lots of internal support, and I am more than ready to help build Astralis’ future.
‘Everyone knows that I have been through a difficult period, but I’ve taken the time out that I needed to recover and find the best version of myself. That only gives me extra motivation and I want to focus my energy on looking forward. I have found the desire and joy to play again – I’m excited to get back to doing what I love, contributing to the team and I can’t wait to get started. Astralis know exactly what kind of player they are getting, I know the vast majority in the organisation and know what I have to deliver on and off the server. I am aware, expectations will probably be higher than what we can deliver off the bat, but I also know that the organisation is very good at shutting out the noise and standing together.
‘At the same time, Astralis has a unique fan base that supports us through thick and thin, and I’m just happy to be able to pull on the shirt again and repay the support that I and the team have always experienced.”
Kasper Hvidt, Director of Sports, Astralis, added,
“Nicolai is an exceptional player and person, who under the right conditions is an invaluable support for his teammates and one of the world’s absolute best in the AWP role. For various reasons has not been in official competitions for a long time, but over the past months he has built himself up, and he is coming back to us with a strong hunger to help the team.
‘For the first time in years, we do not have a big tournament just around the corner and no immediate pressure, so we take the time to do things right on and around the team – at the right time. This also goes for his tournament comeback. Nicolai will step into the group and work with the coach and team immediately, and I am sure his presence will make a difference from day one. I am delighted that we have succeeded in bringing a huge fan favourite, a fantastic player, a cultural bearer and a real team player home to Astralis. He will be one of the cornerstones of what we are building on and around the team.
‘It is important for me to emphasise that Asger “farlig” Jensen, who is now replaced by Nicolai, is a talented, loyal, and hard-working player, who has done everything he could to help the team. There are not many Danish players who would immediately take over the role and we have already started the work to find a good solution, so that he can continue his development.”
The Danish superstar will make his second debut for Astralis at the Elisa Masters Espoo event, which is scheduled from November 16 to November 20.
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