Dendi splits from Natus Vincere, now a free agent in Dota 2
Danil “Dendi” Ishutin is now a free agent.
According to a statement from Natus Vincere, the star player requested early termination of his contract. The organization says they “met his wishes and released him,” and thanked him for his help in developing the Na’Vi brand.
“Together with NAVI, I’ve come a long way, with many ups and downs. I’ve made an incredible number of friends, many of whom I’m still in touch with. An unthinkable amount of fond memories,” Dendi said.
Natus Vincere stated that Dendi will discuss his future plans at The International 2019. He is currently set to appear at the event as an analyst for the tournament’s Russian language broadcast.
Dendi has been a part of Na’Vi for eight years. Alongside Clement “Puppey” Ivanov and Alexander “XBOCT” Dashkevich, he took first place at The International 2011, and took second place at TI2 and TI3. That success established the team as a dynasty in Dota 2 and was maintained by winning a number of other tournaments.
The organization slowly faded off from there, with Dendi being removed from the team’s active roster at the start of the 2018-2019 Dota Pro Circuit season. In the months that followed, he has popped up as a substitute for several teams including Team Secret, Tigers, and The Pango. Though he has struggled to find success this season, his popularity hasn’t wavered.
“On behalf of the organization and all employees, we would like to thank Danya for his time in NAVI, for professionalism and loyalty to our club, as well as for the emotions we have experienced together,” Natus Vincere CEO Yevhen Zolotarov said, wishing him love.
Dendi’s future is unclear and it is unknown if he will look to return to competitive Dota 2 or if he will focus his efforts on something else like streaming. His massive fan base would make him a valuable addition to any organization.
Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.
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