Monte Esports has signed Aurimas ‘Bymas’ Pipiras and Oscar ‘AZUWU’ Bell to its Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) roster.
The signings complete the roster after Valdyslav ‘leen’ Stepanov and Ali ‘hAdji’ Haïnouss departed the Ukrainian esports organisation in June.
In addition to adding Bymas and AZUWU to the starting lineup, Monte has also secured Aurélien “‘afro’ Drapier on a long-term deal, after representing the organisation as a temporary stand-in since April.
The arrival of Bymas marks the first time the Lithuanian player has competed in Counter-Strike esports since leaving Into the Breach in 2024. Monte’s new recruit has already returned to competition, playing in Series 3 of CCT Season 3 Europe in the weeks before the post-Major player break.
AZUWU joins the team after rising through the ranks of the UK CS2 scene, with stints representing Coalesce and Endpoint between 2023 and 2025. In February, the British rifler joined SAW, scoring a top-14 finish at ESL Pro League Season 21 and a top-16 placement at IEM Melbourne.
Monte has struggled to find form and stability over the past year, picking up ten players in a bid to find a combination capable of competing in international tournaments. In July, Aleksander ‘hades’ Miskiewicz departed the team following a ten-month stint.
What’s Next For Monte Esports?
Currently ranked 73rd in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), Monte Esports has a lot of work to do in order to earn a place in the top 32. The new lineup is already in action in the CCT Season 3 European Series #4 Play-In.
The top four teams from the Play-Ins will earn a place in the Main Event where 24 teams from across Europe will compete for a share of $50,000 (~£37,264) in prize money and all-important VRS points that determine which teams will qualify for the Budapest Major in November.
