FaZe Clan has officially welcomed David "frozen" Čerňanský to its Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) roster, following the departure of Russel "Twistzz" Van Dulken. In a period where many teams are overhauling their lineups due to the shift from CS:GO to its sequel, CS2, FaZe Clan has taken a more conservative approach, opting for a single change in their team composition.
The 21-year-old Slovakian player, frozen, joins FaZe from MOUZ, the team formerly known as mousesports, where he has been competing since 2019. His tenure at MOUZ was marked by several significant achievements, including a victory at Flashpoint Season three in 2021, where he also earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Furthermore, frozen's consistent performances have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his ranking as the 17th-best player of 2022 by the prestigious esports site HLTV.
Beyond these accomplishments, frozen has also secured a second-place finish at the CS Asia Championship and claimed victory at ESL Pro League Season 18. His addition to FaZe Clan finalizes a roster that is now entirely European, featuring teammates Håvard "rain" Nygaard, Helvijs "broky" Saukants, Finn "karrigan" Andersen, and Robin "ropz" Kool. They are guided by coach Filip "NEO" Kubski, a seasoned veteran in the esports scene.
Twistzz Bids Farewell
The end of the 2023 season saw FaZe Clan achieving remarkable success, with victories at four S-tier tournaments and a commendable top-eight placement at the Paris Major. The team demonstrated exceptional form, concluding the year with a streak of three consecutive tournament wins at IEM Sydney, the Thunderpick World Championships, and the CS Asia Championships.
Despite this impressive run, FaZe Clan had to part ways with Twistzz, who left the team on December 1. This move has fueled speculation about a possible return to Team Liquid, a team with which he previously found great success. Twistzz, who won the 2022 Esports Play of the Year, disclosed that his departure had been in the planning stages for some time.
"Before IEM Sydney started, the team knew I was leaving. It was like a last dance for me, but the string of successes that came after was something I could never have predicted," Twistzz reflected on his final tournaments with FaZe Clan.
He conveyed his deep connections within the team, stating, "I have made friends for life here and within this organization. Should the opportunity present itself again, I would proudly don a FaZe jersey."
While acknowledging that his decision might be unexpected to fans, Twistzz promised to reveal more about his future endeavors. He indicated his enthusiasm for facing new challenges, adding, "Although it's sad to leave, I'm happy that we ended on a high note."
Recognized as one of North America's premier Counter-Strike talents, Twistzz has distinguished himself as one of the few players to win both an Intel Grand Slam and a PGL Major with two different teams. His legacy includes not only his in-game achievements but also the positive influence he has had on his peers.
"You helped me grow into a better person, never judged me once, and I always felt comfortable every step of the way. You all contributed to who I am today," Twistzz expressed his gratitude towards his former teammates.
The esports community will closely watch as FaZe Clan integrates frozen into their lineup and as Twistzz ventures into the next chapter of his career. Both moves signify pivotal moments for their respective parties, and the impact of these changes will be observed in the upcoming competitive seasons of CS2.