NIP Sign stavn to Replace r1nkle as Primary AWPer

Ninjas in Pyjamas have wasted no time following the benching of Artem “r1nkle” Moroz, confirming the signing of Martin “stavn” Lund as their new primary AWPer. The Danish rifler and AWPer returns to professional CS2 after eight months away from the game for personal reasons.

r1nkle Out After Form Drop and a Missed Major

r1nkle arrived at NIP in April 2024 with an aggressive, high-impact AWP style that made an immediate impression. His form did not hold across the following year, and the team’s failure to qualify for the Cologne Major proved to be the breaking point. NIP cited a desire to explore a different direction in terms of roles and dynamics when confirming the move. r1nkle responded publicly with composure, stating he feels confident and motivated as he looks at his next options.

stavn Returns After Eight Months Away

stavn left Astralis to address personal issues connected to the loss of his brother in 2021. After eight months of professional therapy, he announced in January that he was ready to compete again, describing himself as more grounded than before and prepared to push for results at the highest level. NIP have now given him the platform to do exactly that.

Familiar Faces Make This Roster Different

The signing carries weight beyond individual talent. stavn rejoins sjuush and coach Richard “Xizt” Landström from his time at HEROIC, the project that represented his highest competitive point. He also links back up with Snappi, his teammate from HEROIC’s pre-COVID era. Four of the five players on this roster share meaningful history with one another, and that familiarity addresses one of the core problems that has defined NIP’s struggles this season — a lineup that never developed genuine chemistry.

The new five of Snappi, sjuush, xKacpersky, cairne, and stavn under Xizt represents the most coherent NIP roster in some time. Missing Cologne was a low point. The rebuild has a real foundation to work from now.

James Steward

James Steward is an experienced writer with a deep passion for the gaming and esports space. With years of experience in the industry, he has a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics, trends, and evolution of competitive gaming. His writing offers precise insights and reflects his expertise.

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