BIG signs XANTARES as nex steps down because of surgery

The German BIG Clan has officially confirmed the signing of İsmailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş.

Sorry everyone, we were too excited to wait until Christmas with this one.

Please welcome @XANTAREScsgo to BIG! #GOBIG

👉 https://t.co/FIKnAquuUl pic.twitter.com/czDyU0Uscv

— BIG (@BIGCLANgg) December 23, 2018

XANTARES leaves in stride of success

The transfer of XANTARES means leaving his ex-Space Soldiers team, which was composed of talents such as Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli and Buğra “Calyx” Arkın. XANTARES is the first player out of the five that has found a team following their decision to leave the Space Soldiers organization due to supposedly low salaries. The 23-year-old Turk has been part of Space Soldiers for over three years, since 2015. This will be the first time he leaves his country to play in a foreign team. XANTARES made an official statement following his departure on TwitLonger:

As you know, myself and my team have been working hard to win tournaments and represent our country as best as we can. However, we have been struggling with an array of issues for a while and internet infrastructure was only one of these. Therefore, to be able to achieve my individual best I decided move on and part ways with my former team. So here’s my announcement that I’ll be joining BIG of Germany.

To be able to play with my new team I’ll move to Germany. I know I’m leaving my family, my loved ones and my fans behind but that’s something I need to do to be able achieve the individual success I’ve been striving for.

I’d like to thank my former teammates who were more than just teammates, but also friends and supporters to me. I’d also like to thank you, my fans and followers for your never ending support. I want you all to know that I’m still one of you, and I’ll be with you in my streams and on my social media.

I want to thank you all once again for your support.

The statement truly shows the player’s grief, having to leave in order to achieve individual success.

nex to undergo wrist surgery

Meanwhile,  Johannes “nex” Maget is due to undergo wrist surgery, as he has been complaining about wrist pain. This leaves BIG Clan with an open spot. The transfer of XANTARES (which happened before the announcement of nex’s surgery) was obviously to fill nex’s spot at BIG. BIG’s CEO, Daniel Finker, commented on the matter:

After a very turbulent and successful year 2018, we want to aim even higher in the upcoming periods. For months, Johannes “nex” Maget has been suffering from wrist pain, which affected his performance. After the ESL Pro League Finals in Odense, we mutually decided that he will now go for professional treatment in Berlin. Everybody in BIG wishes him a speedy recovery, and we will provide him with every support needed until he is ready to play again. With İsmailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş we have signed one of the world’s best players with outstanding talent, who will be a permanent addition to the team. Welcome to BIG, XANTARES!

As confirmed by the CEO of BIG, XANTARES is a permanent addition to the team. This leaves nex’s future in doubt as no open slots will be left on the team once he returns from surgery. That is, unless one of the other players is sold or steps down. Unfortunately, as things stand right now, there is no place for nex in BIG Clan.

XANTARES’s addition to BIG is definitely a very promising move as the Turk is renowned for his extraordinary rifling abilities. Time will tell how well he adapts to his new teammates and environment.

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