CS:GO: Team Liquid and MIBR confirm major roster swap ahead of 2019 season

After weeks of rumors, Team Liquid and MIBR have finally announced a huge roster move just a few weeks ahead of the IEM Katowice Major in February. 

On December 21, it was confirmed that Team Liquid have traded both Epitácio ‘TACO’ de Melo and head coach Wilton ‘zews’ Prado to MIBR in exchange for Jacky ‘Stewie2k’ Yip. 

The move was first reported and detailed on December 11 amid widespread speculation throughout the CS:GO community and now both teams have officially confirmed the major shakeup. 

For TACO, it will be a return to the former SK Gaming roster that he has spent the majority of his career with. 

While zews didn’t coach them for long, he did briefly coach SK Gaming back in 2016, making this a homecoming of sort for him as well. 

• Read More: Who should replace Karrigan on the FaZe CS:GO roster? 

The move comes as rumors swirl that MIBR is looking to put together an all-Brazilian roster ahead of the upcoming Major. 

While Tarik ‘tarik’ Celik still remains on the MIBR, he is expected to be moved in the coming weeks to make room for João ‘felps’ Vasconcellos, who the team is rumored to be set on acquiring from INTZ. 

The transfer also will likely spell the end of Janko ‘YNk’ Paunovic as coach of MIBR. 

Stewie2k with Cloud9 during the ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018.

After the latest shakeup, Team Liquid back with an all-North American roster similar to what they have fielded in the past. 

Stewie2k will bring along his Major winning experience as Team Liquid looks to reach new heights in 2019 and beyond. 

MIBR

• Gabriel ‘FalleN’ Toledo 
• Fernando ‘fer’ Alvarenga 
• Marcelo ‘coldzera’ David 
• Tarik ‘tarik’ Celik
• Epitácio ‘TACO’ de Melo
• Wilton ‘zews’ Prado (coach)

Team Liquid 

• Nicholas ‘nitr0’ Cannella
• Jonathan ‘EliGE’ Jablonowski 
• Russel ‘Twistzz’ Van Dulken 
• Keith ‘NAF’ Markovic 
• Jacky ‘Stewie2k’ Yip

Keep up with all the latest roster moves ahead of the IEM Katowice major with out official transfer hub.