NRG Esports is about to sign a top European player to its roster, according to Dot Esports’ George Geddes.
The North American organization is thought to have its sights set on FunPlus Phoenix star Ardis “ardiis” Svarenieks. The 24-year-old was part of FPX’s championship run through the lower bracket at Masters Copenhagen, where the team beat out far more experienced sides during their international debut.
FPX’s players were left searching for a new home after the Chinese organization failed to secure a partnership slot in the EMEA league next year.
The core of the squad is currently expected to go to Natus Vincere, a partnered organization, with the exception of ardiis.
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NRG Esports are reportedly about to sign ardiis
NRG has already released four of its players, paving the way for a complete roster overhaul as it looks ahead to VCT 2023 and the Americas league.
Sam “s0m” Oh is the only man left standing from the original roster, and reports have pegged the organization to sign OpTic Gaming trio Pujan “FNS” Mehta, Austin “crashies” Roberts, and Victor “Victor” Wong.
As their fifth player, ardiis would likely step into the role as Chamber main. The Latvian player has been a key part of FPX’s success over the past year, mainly on the French sentinel. However, he has also shown an ability to flex onto other agents such as Jett and KAY/O.
Ardiis has had stints on other top teams in the past as well, including G2 Esports. He was also part of the original fish123 roster, the core of which eventually went on to become Team Liquid.
VCT 2023 roster rules allow for a maximum of one import player from outside the league, so NRG will not be able to bring in any other players from outside the Americas.
NRG has been left on the outside looking in for most of 2022, where its roster was never able to qualify for an international event.
Its new roster would comprise four players with a proven track record on Valorant’s biggest stage. OpTic were the champions of Masters Reykjavik and placed within the top three at both Copenhagen and Champions, while FPX won Copenhagen and came in fourth at Champions.
NRG will make their international debut in February during the 30-team kickoff tournament in São Paulo, Brazil.
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