9z announce plans to move to North America
9z's CEO Francisco "Frankkaster" Postiglione has announced that the organization's CS:GO team is set to move to North America sometime in 2021. In the announcement, Frankkaster said the team's goal is to "seek a place in MDL and then [qualify to] ESL Pro League.
The Argentinian-Uruguayan lineup is currently ranked as the tenth best team in South America, and recently claimed second place finishes at Gamers Club Masters VI and Aorus League 2020 Season 4.
While the majority of the lineup is likely unknown to North American fans, the team's IGL Bruno "bit" Lima is a well-regarded name in world Counter-Strike, having been a part of the legendary 1.6 MIBR lineup. More recently, bit competed in North America alongside oNe, notably attending the StarLadder Berlin Americas Minor in mid-2019.
The team's coach, Rafael "zakk" Fernandes is another familiar face, having coached the likes of Luminosity, Immortals, and Tempo Storm in North America. Former Argentine MIBR player Ignacio "meyern" Meyer is also on the team's books, however he is unlikely to be a part of 9z's North American plans as he has been linked with a move to KRU, a new esports organization owned by Manchester City soccer team player Sergio Agüero.
9z are:
Franco "dgt" Garcia- Maximiliano "max" Gonzalez
Bruno "bit" Lima
Santino "try" Rigal- Rafael "zakk" Fernandes (Coach)
- Ignacio "meyern" Meyer (Inactive)
9z will likely have to start their North American journey in ESEA Open Season 36, with registration closing for all divisions on January 11th.
