Look Sports Media – The Counter-Strike 2 landscape is buzzing with seismic news as Danish esports titans Astralis confirm a sweeping overhaul of their competitive roster, headlined by the departure of legendary AWPer Nicolai "Dev1ce" Reedtz. This strategic pivot, also seeing the exit of Emil "Magisk" Reif, signals Astralis’ bold move towards an "international direction" as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Astralis CEO Jonas Gundersen officially confirmed that Magisk’s contract will conclude on December 31st, 2025, while Dev1ce has already secured a transfer ahead of the upcoming year. Gundersen articulated the organization’s preparedness for these significant changes, stating, "We have long known that Emil would be moving on. We have also been prepared for Nicolai’s transition, having maintained a good and open dialogue with him about future possibilities."
This marks Dev1ce’s second farewell from the storied Danish powerhouse. His initial tenure, beginning in 2016, saw him become a cornerstone of arguably the greatest dynasty in Counter-Strike history, securing an unprecedented four Major titles: ELEAGUE Major Atlanta 2017, FACEIT Major: London 2018, IEM Katowice Major 2019, and StarLadder Berlin Major 2019. After a brief stint with Ninjas in Pyjamas in 2021, the veteran sniper made a highly anticipated return to Astralis just one year later. Magisk, who joined Astralis in September after his benching by Team Falcons, now also seeks new horizons.
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Speaking on the official looksports.media platform, Dev1ce shared his sentiments regarding the decision: "Leaving Astralis once again has not been an easy decision. For some time now, I have been hungry to try something new, and I am very much looking forward to starting the next chapter. I am leaving Astralis on good terms, just like last time, and I wish the guys all the best in the new year." He extended heartfelt gratitude to the fanbase and the organization, acknowledging their special place in his journey since 2016.
The roster shake-up follows a challenging 2025 for Astralis, where despite consistent appearances at top-tier events, the team struggled to convert potential into consistent high finishes. A disappointing 19th-place finish out of 32 teams at the 2025 StarLadder Budapest Major highlighted the need for change. While they did achieve a commendable third place at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 in February and a second-place finish at PGL Astana 2025, falling to Team Spirit, these results weren’t enough to satisfy the organization’s lofty ambitions.
Gundersen’s statement outlined a clear vision for revitalizing the squad. "We have big ambitions for Astralis, and we need to revitalise the team. Astralis is Danish – with a Danish core and a clear identity. The support we experience all across the country means an incredible amount to us, and we will continue to be the team that brings Danes together," he affirmed, emphasizing the brand’s national roots. However, he also clarified a broader recruitment strategy: "We are not limiting ourselves to a single market when recruiting new players. We are in a phase where we will continue to build throughout 2026, and our primary focus will be on quality and the overall direction of new additions. This is a new and exciting time for Astralis, and something we will share much more about later. Right now, however, it is about saying a proper goodbye – and hopefully, see you again."
As the Counter-Strike 2 scene braces for the 2026 season, all eyes will be on Astralis to see how this ambitious international restructuring will reshape their competitive future and whether it can propel them back to the pinnacle of esports glory.
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