In a surprising move, star Swedish duelist Saif “Sayf” Jibraeel has left Team Liquid to join their regional rivals, Team Vitality. This transfer comes after a year of mixed results for Team Liquid, where they defeated Fnatic but struggled in international tournaments. Sayf’s departure will strengthen Vitality as they aim to improve on their fifth-place finish from last season.
Team Vitality has been a strong contender in the EMEA region throughout the year but failed to make an impact on the international stage. Their roster of new players needed time to gel, and the team also faced a setback when duelist Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener tragically passed away in June 2023. Despite these challenges, Vitality finished in the top eight regionally, ranking above teams like Team Heretics and KOI.
Following the end of the season, Vitality made the decision to bench Michał “MOLSI” Łącki and Santeri “BONECOLD” Sassi, leaving only two players from their 2023 roster. With the addition of Sayf, Vitality gains a player with a proven track record at the top level of competitive VALORANT and someone who was instrumental in Team Liquid’s success this year.
Sayf’s departure leaves Team Liquid in a difficult position, but they still have the opportunity to secure a suitable replacement during the off-season. It’s worth noting that Team Liquid has an unused import slot, allowing them to sign a player from outside the EMEA region if they choose. They also have substitute duelist Nico “Harmii” Harms available as a potential option.
Team Liquid’s performance in VCT Champions 2023 was disappointing, with the team being eliminated in the group stages without a single win. With Sayf’s move to Vitality and reported roster changes for Evil Geniuses and Natus Vincere, it appears that the off-season shuffle is well underway.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
