CS legend Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev is making his pro Counter-Strike 2 debut with a one-month loan to Team Falcons, leaving NAVI in the interim.
s1mple is undoubtedly Counter-Strike’s goat. However, since CS2 came into the pro scene, s1mple has been out of the stage, announcing a hiatus shortly after IEM Sydney 2023, CS2’s first premier LAN tournament.
But, he revealed just over a week ago at IEM Katowice 2024 that he was ready to make a return to pro Counter-Strike, revealing he’d be coming back after the Copenhagen Major with NAVI.
However, in a surprise move none saw coming, Team Falcons has announced that s1mple will be signing with the team on a loan to replace a benched player.
HERE WE GOOO!!! 🦅
Please welcome @s1mpleO, who will be making his return to professional Counter-Strike as part of Falcons for one month on loan from team @natusvincere! pic.twitter.com/mglPzyQBxn
— Team Falcons (@TeamFalconsGG) February 19, 2024
On February 19, Team Falcons announced the benching of Mohammad “BOROS” Malhas after their devastating elimination at the Copenhagen Major RMR Qualifiers, with a loaned player being teased in the announcement.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
As it would turn out, they got s1mple on loan from NAVI for a month. This is not a permanent move for s1mple, as he would be standing in for the team for just one tournament, the BLAST Premier: Spring Showdown 2024.
“[s1mple] will perform for Team Falcons for one month as a stand-in, including at BLAST Premier: Spring Showdown 2024,” announced NAVI. “And try to help the team earn one of two slots at BLAST Spring Final.”
This appearance will mark s1mple’s first-ever pro CS2 match as he was not present at IEM Sydney for NAVI’s very first tournament run in the new game.
The BLAST Premier: Spring Showdown is slated to begin on March 6 and run through until March 10.