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Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

New French CS:GO roster announced by G2 Esports

They have officially announced the signing of kennyS, apex, and NBK.

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G2 Esports have revealed some brand new signings for their new CS:GO team, including Kenny "kennyS" Schrub, Dan "apEX" Madesclaire, and Nathan "NBK" Schmitt, who are joining from Team EnVyUs, with which they won international tournaments such the DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca Major in 2015.

The new additions to the squad will be working with Richard "shox" Papillon and Alexandre "body" Pianaro, both of which have signed fresh new contracts with the club. This deal constitutes the largest of G2's investments to this day. Edouard "SmithZz" Dubourdeaux is also making the move from player to coach, focused on the tactical aspects of Counter-Strike alongside Niclas "enkay J" Krumhorn, the head analyst.

All of these changes, however, mean that Cédric "RpK" Guipouy and Adil "ScreaM" Benrlitom are leaving G2. Both of these players were a huge part in the team's success, so they will be sorely missed.

G2 Esports founder and CEO, Carlos "ocelote" Rodríguez Santiago, said: "The CS:GO community has been very kind and supportive to G2 Esports and we feel grateful that many of you have chosen us as your flagship team. In light of your support and the continued growth of CS:GO as an esports game we decided to increase our commitment in our CS:GO roster significantly with the signing of this superteam."

Team captain shox added: "In April 2016, I took up the roles of captain and in-game leader, which I have taken to heart and has represented one of my biggest challenges in terms of personal investment. Despite a promising start at the ESL Pro League finals and ECS, it became apparent at the end of the year that something was missing in the team for it to be consistently at the top."

"This resulted in a delicate situation. The level of CS increases every day, I am a competitor and I will never be satisfied with second place. To win today, we must work with rage and passion on a daily basis, and always seek to excel, especially in difficult times. And we lacked these qualities in the second half of 2016."

"With a team and a coaching staff of this quality, our objectives are clearly to win, and especially to remain strong when we come across adversities. We have the ambition to put an end to the lack of stability of the French scene. We think we have the best elements to achieve our goals, and our hard work will help us along this journey."

"I want to praise the difficult and honourable decision made by SmithZz. He is a great person and an extraordinary player who competed at the highest level for 10 years. SmithZz is a legend, and I am honoured to have him behind us. This is also the first time that I get to play with kennyS. I am very glad to have him by my side, and I have no doubt that we will do great things together."

"I am happy to be part of the #G2ARMY that I now consider my second family. Thanks to everyone who has supported us. Our journey will be long, but let's write history together."

NBK also commented on the new roster: "I am excited to announce the start of a new chapter with the creation of a new French team, which I have very high hopes for. We gathered some of the most talented persons on the roster and on our staff. We have a lot to work on, this is only the start of our story together, and our success will only be possible if we continuously put in hard work and never lay back."

"So far, everyone is extremely motivated and the newly-formed shox/kennyS combo is going to be a deadly one! Signing long-term contracts proves that we are committed to staying together and working on any issues that will happen along the way. The addition of SmithZz as coach - salute to his big decision to end his lengthy playing career - might be the extra thing that French teams have needed to never settle down and to stick together through thin and thick."

"We know each other very well and understand how we work and play. It will be exciting to play with Richard again as he seems to be on another level since becoming an ingame leader, and also with bodyy, a rising star! Our only motivation and goal is to win as many trophies as possible. We aim to fly the French flag high again in 2017, which will be more competitive than ever. The level of competition should make this one of the most interesting years ever in Counter-Strike, and we want to show our ability to compete."

"I would like to thank my former teammates and friends for the past two years. Big thanks to G2 Esports and Carlos in particular for the opportunity. I am looking forward to working with the whole organisation to achieve big things! I also want to thank all the players on the team for accepting to play together, and also both NiaK and SmithZz for agreeing to coach us. EnkayJ is also a part of the roster as an analyst. We have a very good relationship with him and have done a lot of good work together. Some German efficiency never hurts!"

Team manager Jérôme "NiaK" Sudries concluded: "G2's intention has always been to foster an environment that helps our players to perform at their true potential in-game while growing their individual recognition and brand within the community. G2's talent, focus and massive ambition create the momentum star players want and need."

This is a big reshuffle for G2, but how do you think this will pay off in the future? Could it be too much change?

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Photo: G2 Esports

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