Update at 22:00 CEST: Today, information surfaced that Cloud9 are looking to acquire the NAVI Junior roster. However, after this went viral, Cloud9 CEO Jack Etienne called it a false rumor in a Reddit thread:
This is a false rumor, sorry guys.
NAVI might replace jL and iM , Spirit are close to signing Perfecto(RUS) , and Cloud9 are considering acquiring the entire NAVI Junior roster. Possible roster changes became known during a stream by French insider KRL.
NAVI plan to replace jL and iM
NAVI are planning significant changes to their main roster. According to KRL, the organization intends to part ways with two players — jL and iM . Both joined the team in 2023 and became part of the revamped English-speaking roster with which NAVI won the legendary PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 .
Despite some standout performances in 2024 , the team lacked consistency, and now the club is considering replacement options. One potential candidate for strengthening the team could be NAVI Junior player makazze .
Cloud9 might acquire the NAVI Junior roster
Cloud9 currently remains without a roster and apparently plans to return to the CS2 scene. Their previous roster did not deliver the expected results, and the team was disbanded.
Now Cloud9 aims for a more stable model — acquiring the already experienced and promising NAVI Junior roster. The young squad has performed excellently on the tier-2 scene, gained recognition in the community, and reportedly attracted interest not only from Cloud9 .
However, the transition might not happen. Within NAVI, there is discussion about promoting one of the academy leaders — makazze to the main roster. If this happens, the deal with Cloud9 might not go through.
Spirit want to sign Perfecto(RUS)
Team Spirit are also preparing changes. According to KRL, the club is close to signing Perfecto(RUS) — a former player of NAVI and Cloud9 , who has been inactive since April 2024 . The transfer will not require a buyout, as the player is a free agent. Perfecto(RUS) is expected to replace magixx in the Spirit lineup.
The second player who might leave the team is captain chopper . Thus, Spirit are considering not only targeted but also strategic rearrangements — possibly with a new leader and a review of roles. There were also rumors about signing zweih , but the transfer is unlikely since the team will need a captain.
