The Danish organization has revealed that Nicolai #dev1ce Reedtz has transferred from Ninjas in Pyjamas to Astralis and has signed a multi-year contract with his new home, confirming a number of speculations tying the illustrious AWPer with the move.
The 27-year-old rejoins the group he previously represented from 2016 to 2021. During that time, he won four Major trophies, 16 additional top LAN championships, the inaugural Intel Grand Slam, and held the No. 1 position in the world ranking for more than two years.
Device has been absent from the game for the past year after taking a medical leave of absence in late 2021 for Ninjas in Pyjamas, citing personal and mental health difficulties.
Coming back home
“Everyone is aware of the challenging time I've been through, but I've taken the time I needed to heal and discover my best self”, device said in a statement. “That simply serves to motivate me more, and I want to concentrate all of my efforts on moving ahead. I have rediscovered my desire and joy for playing, and I can't wait to get back to doing what I love and helping the team.”
“Although I am aware that initial expectations will likely be higher than what we can achieve, I also know that the organization is highly adept at blocking out outside distractions and sticking together.”
Asger “Farlig” Jensen is replaced by device on the Astralis lineup. After eight months, in which the 23-year-old averaged a 0.99 rating, his time on the team comes to an end. Farlig and the company have “started the effort to find a good solution so that he can continue his development,” claims Kasper Hvidt, director of sports for Astralis.
After Kristian #k0nfig Wienecke's contract with Astralis was mutually terminated in early October, more changes are still anticipated to take place within the Astralis camp. After getting hurt after a well reported altercation in Malta, the entry-stint fragger's with the squad came to an end. As a result, the 25-year-old was unable to compete in the IEM Rio Major qualifiers. Astralis finished 1-3 at the IEM Road to Rio RMR, substituting academy member Mikkel #MistR Thomsen, and missed out on a seat at the Major for the first time in the team's existence.
Since losing to Heroic in the Showdown championship match, the Danes have also been unable to qualify for their home tournament, BLAST Premier Fall Final, leaving them with only Elisa Masters Espoo left on their schedule for the remainder of the year. On November 16–20, the $200,000 Finnish competition will take place, giving Astralis just under a month to complete their line-up.
