Jesper “JW” Wecksell, one of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s greats, has been released from his contract with Fnatic. The longest-tenured member of the team, JW was benched on July 20, 2021. After more than eight years on the team’s active roster, with the exception a brief tryst with GODSENT, the 26-year-old Swedish rifler is now seeking other opportunities in his free agency.
In a recent TwitLonger, JW expressed his gratitude for all those who’d supported him; specifically Fnatic Co-owner Patrik “cArn” Sättermon and former teammates Andreas “znajder” Lindberg, Jonatan “Devilwalk” Lundberg and Robin “flusha” Rönnquist.
“A pretty emotional but also pretty exciting day, I want to thank everyone who has been a part of the journey for everything they have given me throughout my career,” JW said in his announcement. “I will work hard on my game, try to stream some and try to play in as many qualifiers as possible until I know whats next for me.”
TACK @FNATIC – THANK YOU @FNATIC
Read: https://t.co/Tnuk30hXXJ
— Jesper Wecksell (@JW1) October 14, 2021
Although JW has, in the past, flirted with the idea of moving to Riot Games’ tactical FPS VALORANT, his resolution to stay in CS seems to have solidified.
“My future is not really clear at all, besides the fact that I will stay in CS,” JW told Dexerto. “I have decided that I don’t want to leave the game that I love and have played for so long.”
Fnatic are one of the most storied and winning organizations in CS:GO history. The squad, led by JW, became the first team to win back-to-back majors — at ESL One: Katowice 2015 and ESL One: Cologne 2015. They were also the first team to win a total of three majors.
In more recent years, Fnatic have been desperately searching for a return to their winning ways. On Jan. 12, the team signed Swedish AWPer Jack “Jackinho” Ström Mattsson to round out their international lineup. Fnatic still failed to find important wins, missing out on the PGL Stockholm Major 2021 and subsequently benching Jackinho. They are now in the midst of a small rebuild as they seek to fill out their roster.
As for JW, regardless of where he ends up, his career and his tenure on Fnatic have already been cemented in CS:GO’s long history.
“In the end, it’s been one hell of a ride but nothing lasts forever and it is time for me to start writing the next chapter,” JW said. “My last chapter was 8 years, 3 majors, 25 titles and now I am ready for my next. Are you?”
