4Kings raid two from Dignitas

4Kings have announced the acquiring of Aaron "AaroN" Hemmings and Suffian "suffz" Arshad from Dignitas.

The British-based organization announced their return into the field of Counter-Strike in September earlier this year, when they brought in the vitalsigns team along with Talha "taLz" Ahmad.

Suffian "Suffz" Arshad had been a long-time member of the Dignitas squad, having been with them since the organization picked up The Last Resort in April 2008. He will be followed by Aaron "AaroN" Hemmings, who linked up the following year.

"It gives me great pleasure to announce the 2 latest additions to our 1.6 team. Aaron and suffz. I have every confidence that 4kings will once again be competing at the top level", Operations Manager Adam "Ads" Shoshan told HLTV.org.

When quizzed about the departures of Dylan "IRISH" Patton and Matt "MaTzz" Jackson, Shoshan said he did not wish to elaborate further, but noted that both left on good terms.

"Im excited to join 4Kings! Its been a while since ive played with JungleboY and taLz, so im looking forward to it! Thanks to 4Kings and their sponsors Qpad and Bigfoot Networks for giving me this opportunity, I look forward to a great 2011!", Arshad told the team's website.

The new team will make their first appearance together at the newly announced 4Kings LAN event in Reading.

These changes leave 4Kings with:

Craig "onscreen" Shannon
Talha "taLz" Ahmad
Erin "JungleboY" Teucher
Aaron "AaroN" Hemmings
Suffian "Suffz" Arshad

Moreover, HLTV.org had the chance to sit down and have a short talk with one of 4Kings' newest members, Hemmings.

What made you leave Dignitas for 4Kings?

Over the last year in dignitas we have had so many lineup changes, and achieved no where near what we had expected. As a result, me and suffz lost alot of motivation and thought it was time for a change. We then got offered a place in 4kings once our contracts had expired. This offer was perfect for us as it offered us exactly what we wanted.

You and suffz will be joining up with three already existing 4Kings players. Have you had any past relations with them in any way?

Jungleboy and talz were both in dignitas so we know each other pretty well, aswell as constantly mixing and gathering with each other. Onscreen is a new player we have never played with but over the last year he has been noticed and been on great form.

What do you think the future holds now that you have been picked up by 4Kings?

After speaking to the whole 4K Staff, me and suffz were delighted at what was discussed and we both agreed to what was said. On a whole, we look forward to working with them and of course producing results!

For years, the UK scene has been considered motionless and weak in terms of international competition. What do you see as the main factor behind all of this?

The first obvious thing, UK's internet. There have been time's where a majority of people cannot even practise because of people crashing and lagging out. Also the lack of organisations supporting the UK scene, only dignitas and 4K are attending international lans. An example would be when the dignitas 2008 lineup with suffz etc, a team who constantly lanned and had no experience before it.. eventually started pulling some top results and were regarded as a threat

It has been highlighted that several semi-professional players are restricted from joining certain mix channels on IRC, in which the UK elite is gathered. Do you feel this hinders players from excelling?

We're all a bunch of friends and we all get along together. I have no idea what players have been restricted but that 'minority' of people you speak about are probably the people who have that crap attitude and just like to blabber alot behind people's backs. It's the same in every country surely?!

What are your thoughts on the future for the UK scene? Do you think it will keep its current shape, or is there light in the end of the tunnel?

There has been a slight increase of new teams within the uk scene but it normally all depends on if other uk teams get the funding that they need to compete at such international events.

Have you set yourselves any goals for the new year?

We hope to make an impact on the international scene by getting some good results versus the top teams.. being realistic I would say a top 8 finish would be nice at a top tournament.. and gradually working our way up!

Are there any events on the schedule for 2011 so far?

We plan to attend 4-5 International tournaments at least through the year, purely due to peoples commitments such as studies and work. Suffz is in his last year at university, talz and myself will also have exams in May.. but that aside it's a good way to start off. As we stand at the moment, a UK LAN in March, any international LAN that pops up before April that we are keen on and Gamegune in July is a definite.

The stage is all yours.

First of all me and suffz would like to thank odee for the time we had in dignitas, loved every single moment but I guess the time comes where you gotta walk! So thanks odee! Also I'd like to thank 4K for giving us this opportunity and look forward to a successful year and further more the sponsors Qpad, Bigfoot networks. And all the guys in OHYEA.