CS2 star NiKo is reportedly leaving G2 following Shanghai Major

That would be a massive roster change.

NiKo, a player for G2, high-fives fans at IEM Sydney, a CS2 tournament.
Photo by Tyler Grenfell via ESL Gaming

NiKo will reportedly bid farewell to G2 Esports in the upcoming months, with the player having sealed the deal with another popular organization in Counter-Strike 2.

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Renowned esports journalist and insider Alejandro Gomis reported on X on Aug. 26 that the Bosnian CS2 star is set to join Team Falcons following a one to 1.2 million dollar buyout. According to Gomis, the move won’t take place before the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, scheduled to begin by the end of November, meaning the reported move would likely occur in December.

NiKo has been at G2 for four years, joining the team in November 2020. Since then, he’s led the roster to numerous trophies, including IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne.

G2 Esports standing on-stage and lifting the IEM Cologne trophy in 2023 as the crowd cheers.
G2 won Cologne in 2023. Photo by Helena Kristiansson via ESL

G2 have unfortunately been unable to grasp a Major title, finishing second at the PGL Major Stockholm 2021, but the Bosnian will have one more shot at leading the squad to Major glory this Fall in China—if they qualify.

Before joining G2, NiKo represented FaZe Clan and MOUZ. In that time, he became one of the most profound and skilled riflers in CS:GO and his prowess hasn’t dropped since CS2 launched last September.

Falcons, on the other hand, are urgently looking for ways to improve their horrible year. The organization assembled a superstar roster by the end of 2023 with the likes of SunPayus and maden, but has yet to win a meaningful trophy in CS2. Acquiring Niko, one of the world’s best players, is bound to elevate their chances, at least theoretically.

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Image of Mateusz Miter
Mateusz Miter
Freelance Writer at Dot Esports. Mateusz previously worked for numerous outlets and gaming-adjacent companies, including ESL. League of Legends or CS:GO? He loves them both. In fact, he wonders which game he loves more every day. He wanted to go pro years ago, but somewhere along the way decided journalism was the more sensible option—and he was right.