UK esports organisation Into the Breach have added two new players to their Counter-Strike team as they look to instil some stability to their roster.
They have today announced the signing of Kazakhstan player Qikert (pictured left) as IGL on a three-month loan from Russian organisation Virtus Pro, with a priority option to buy.
Qikert won the IEM Rio Major last year with the team (known in the tournament as ‘Outsiders’ instead of ‘Virtus Pro’ following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine).
Into the Breach said Qikert ’rounds out the roster in an excellent way’ and that they’ve been ‘painstakingly scouting the correct option and fit after so much instability’.
Qikert said:
“I always wanted to try myself in an international team, and this opportunity puts a lot of responsibility on my shoulders that I’m more than ready for.”
Qikert, Into the Breach
“That’s what I like and want the most. I can’t wait to start practicing with the team.
“I would also like to thank Virtus Pro for allowing me to have a competitive practice and work on my further career. Hope to meet you at the Major and other big events!”
His arrival comes a few days after French player misutaaa (pictured right) joined Into the Breach from Team Falcons.
Misutaaa said: “I’m very happy to announce that I’m joining Into the Breach and very grateful to continue this amazing journey on CS2 with this new team. I’m so excited to start the grind with the guys.”
Qikert and misutaaa join Into the Breach following the announcement that UK player Thomas would be moving to the bench.
Thomas said: “I have decided to step down from Into the Breach. A difficult decision but something I thought was necessary to do before CS2 is released.
“I wish the roster the best of luck, looking forward to getting back on the grind and repping [the UK]. And that’s how the cookie crumbles.”
Thomas is the last UK player to step back from ITB, following Volt in July (who moved to GamerLegion) and CYPHER, who joined TSM last week.
The news also comes one month after Into the Breach released NEOFRAG from their roster after he made ‘distasteful jokes’.
Their roster now consists of rallen, CRUC1AL, Bymas, misutaaa and Qikert, with trace as coach and Thomas as sub player.
“[As a] great mix of young guns and veterans, the guys get on super well, and have already melded in such a promising way. I just can’t wait to see what this team develops into over the long-term”.
Sam Macedonio, Into the Breach
Into the Breach said Qikert ‘promises to elevate ITB to new heights and bring ITB CSGO to the very forefront of top tier CS’.
The org’s CEO, Sam Macedonio, commented: “With the additions of Bymas, Misutaaa and now Qikert – mixed with the stoic fragging of Rallen and energetic play of CRUC1AL, we think this’ll be a team to watch.
“At the very least, they’ll be bringing some exciting and innovative play as we head into CS2. Great mix of young guns and veterans, the guys get on super well, and have already melded in such a promising way. I just can’t wait to see what this team develops into over the long-term”.
Into the Breach reached top eight at the Paris Major earlier this year.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
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 worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
