UK League of Legends ADC player Matt “Deadly” Smith and coach Alex “Kazehaya” Hirst have joined Turkish side Besiktas.
Besiktas are a well-known name in world football and moved into the esports space back in 2015. They play in the League of Legends Turkish Champions League (TCL).
Deadly and Kazehaya will be moving to Turkey to play with their new team.
Kazehaya recently left Wind and Rain in the EU Challenger Series, after his previous WAR roster was snapped up by Origen.
They will join jungler Can “Closer” Çelik, support player Mustafa “Dumbledoge” Kemal Gökseloğlu, mid-laner Serkan “LongB” Ülkücü (all Turkish), and Swedish top-laner Olof “Flaxxish” Medin.
Flaxxish previously played in the UK scene a few years back for FM and Exertus. Since then he’s picked up experience with the likes of Team Dignitas, Giants Gaming, Kinguin and others.
Deadly, who flies out to Turkey this weekend, told Esports News UK: “I’m kinda excited, I guess it’s a huge chance to get my name out since I’m playing with Dumbledoge on bot lane.
“He’s very famous in the Turkish scene – I think I’ll be able to improve a lot with him.”
You can check out our own interview with Deadly and interview with Kazehaya to get to know the guys better.
Bu sezon ADC rolünde Mat @Deadlyl0l Smith vadide bizimle olacak! ? pic.twitter.com/x2VYq9J6to
— Beşiktaş eSports (@bjkesports) June 20, 2017
Bu sezon koçumuz olarak İngiliz teknik adam Alex @Coach_Kazehaya Hirst vadide bizimle olacak! ? pic.twitter.com/3fd3hE1peT
— Beşiktaş eSports (@bjkesports) June 21, 2017
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He has almost two decades of experience in journalism, and left Esports News UK in June 2025.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He also previously worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation.
