Ukrainian organization in talks with FunPlus Phoenix for VALORANT team
Natus Vincere (NAVI), a Ukrainian organization, is in advanced discussions with FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) regarding the acquisition of its VALORANT roster, according to multiple sources.
The players have not signed with NAVI yet, and the situation is further complicated by the potential absence of star player Ardis “ardiis” Svarenieks from the roster. Ardiis might explore other options instead of joining his FPX teammates and coach. Nevertheless, NAVI remains hopeful that he will eventually join them.
If Ardiis does not finalize the deal with NAVI, the team will sign Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin, Pontus “Zyppan” Eek, Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov, Andrey “Shao” Kiprsky, and head coach Erik “d00mbr0s” Sandgren.
Related: NAVI teases championship-level VALORANT signing for VCT 2023
The FPX roster, known as one of the top VALORANT teams, achieved victory at VCT Masters in Copenhagen in July. They defeated Paper Rex in the grand final to claim the title. However, FPX’s performance at Champions, the highly anticipated event of the year, fell short. They were eliminated by the Korean team DRX in the third round of the lower bracket. DRX was later defeated in the lower final by OpTic Gaming, who then lost to LOUD in the grand final.
NAVI has secured a place in the EMEA international league, making them one of the few organizations to do so. In preparation for this move, NAVI placed Kirill “Cloud” Nehozhin and Artur “7ssk7” Kurshin on the inactive roster.
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