UK-based esports organisation Guild Esports, which is co-owned by David Beckham, has announced the launch of its Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team. Guild has announced an all-female roster for its CS:GO division, which will have a mix of European players.
Guild has picked up the OUTCASTS roster that qualified for the ESL Impact Season 3 Europe. The roster consists of Kaia ‘KiKi‘ Holmen, Marita “Minnie” Siljan Sørensen, Thea “pullox” Evensen, Anna “Ann4” Laurinoviča and Linnea “Nea” Claesson.
The team will have their headquarters at the Sky Guild Gaming Centre in London. All players have been signed on an initial one-year deal with an option for an additional year.
The team will make their debut at the ESL Impact Circuit, which will have an annual prize pool of US$500,000 and is run by esports organiser and production company ESL.
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Jasmine Skee, CEO of Guild Esports, commented:
“This International Women’s Day, we’re delighted to launch a high-flying, all-female team to spearhead our entry into the CS:GO arena. With female participation rapidly growing in many other competitive sports such as football and rugby, we feel this is the right time for us to recruit top talent for CS:GO. It will enable Guild to grow its audience, reach new demographics and continue to provide high-level opportunities for women in the esports space. The team members have experience competing together at the highest levels of competitive CS:GO and will be further inspired by the success of VALORANT Guild X. We’re looking forward to working with them and celebrating their competitive success.“
Kaia “KiKi” Holmen, CS:GO team captain, Guild Esports, said:
“We intend to compete at the highest levels of Counter-Strike and Guild is the perfect place to achieve this. With leading facilities, high-quality coaching staff and a state-of-the-art headquarters, Guild gives us the opportunity to learn and grow as a team in a supportive environment. It’s not just the facilities and coaching – Guild’s long-term commitment to supporting women in esports reassures us that we will be a close cultural fit. We’re excited to bring Guild into CS:GO for the first time and hope to make the whole company proud.“
