Official: device returns in Astralis

The long-awaited return of the eight-time top 20 player and four-time Major winner to his former organization is now official.

Nicolai "⁠device⁠" Reedtz has completed a transfer from Ninjas in Pyjamas to Astralis and entered a multi-year deal with his new home, the Danish organization has announced, confirming a series of reports linking the legendary AWPer with the move.

The 27-year-old returns to the organization which he had previously represented for over five years in 2016-2021 and which he helped form an era with four Major trophies, 16 other premier LAN titles and the first season of the Intel Grand Slam, and hold the No. 1 spot on the world ranking for over two years in total.

For the past year device has been sitting on the sidelines after he went on medical leave in late 2021 in Ninjas in Pyjamas, citing mental health issues and personal reasons.

"Everyone knows that I have been through a difficult period, but I’ve taken the time out that I needed to recover and find the best version of myself," device said in a statement. "That only gives me extra motivation and I want to focus my energy on looking forward. I have found the desire and joy to play again – I’m excited to get back to doing what I love, contributing to the team and I can’t wait to get started."

"I am aware, expectations will probably be higher than what we can deliver off the bat, but I also know that the organization is very good at shutting out the noise and standing together."

device replaces Asger "⁠Farlig⁠" Jensen on the Astralis roster. The 23-year-old's stint on the roster ends after eight months, during which he averaged a 0.99 rating. According to Astralis' Director of Sports, Kasper Hvidt, Farlig and the organization have "started the work to find a good solution so that he can continue his development."

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k0nfig and Astralis part ways

More changes are still expected to come in the Astralis camp after Kristian "⁠k0nfig⁠" Wienecke's contract with the organization was canceled in a mutual agreement in early October. The entry-fragger's time with the team ended in the aftermath of an injury he suffered during a highly-publicized altercation in Malta, which resulted in the 25-year-old missing the IEM Rio Major qualifiers. Astralis used academy member Mikkel "⁠MistR⁠" Thomsen as a substitute and went 1-3 at the IEM Road to Rio RMR, missing out on a spot at the Major for the first time in the organization's history.

The Danes have since also failed to qualify for their home tournament, BLAST Premier Fall Final, following a loss to HEROIC in the grand final of the Showdown, leaving just Elisa Masters Espoo on their calendar for the rest of the year. The $200,000 Finnish event will take place on November 16-20, which gives Astralis just under a month to finalize their composition.

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Astralis remove trace, casle to take over as interim coach

"For the first time in years, we do not have a big tournament just around the corner and no immediate pressure, so we take the time to do things right on and around the team – at the right time," Astralis' Director of Sports, Kasper Hvidt, stated. "This also goes for his tournament comeback. Nicolai will step into the group and work with the coach and team immediately, and I am sure his presence will make a difference from day one."

Astralis now have:

Lukas "⁠gla1ve⁠" Rossander
Andreas "⁠Xyp9x⁠" Højsleth
Benjamin "⁠blameF⁠" Bremer
Nicolai "⁠device⁠" Reedtz
Mikkel "⁠MistR⁠" Thomsen (substitute)

Peter "⁠casle⁠" Ardenskjold (interim coach)

Asger "⁠Farlig⁠" Jensen (benched)
Martin "⁠trace⁠" Heldt (inactive coach)