Dignitas scouting f0rest, other legendary Ninjas in Pyjamas stars

Dignitas is reportedly scouting Richard “Xizt” Landström, Patrik “f0rest” Lindberg, and Adam “friberg” Friberg.

According to DBLTAP’s Jarek Lewis, the organization is looking to return to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive by reuniting three of the players from the legendary 2012-2015 Ninjas in Pyjamas roster. Although Dignitas currently has a female Counter-Strike team called Dignitas Female, the organization has not fielded a men’s CSGO squad since August 2018. 

Most of that legendary roster has been spread across the European CSGO landscape, with the exception of f0rest who remains with Ninjas in Pyjamas to this day.

Friberg left the team in 2017, moving first to OpTic Gaming before finding a spot on the Team Heroic lineup. He was cut by the team in August.

Xizt was benched by NiP before spending short stints on both FaZe Clan and Fnatic. He is currently on Fnatic’s bench. Though he should technically be serving as a stand-in, the team recently used Rasmus “kreaz” Johansson when Freddy “KRIMZ” Johansson was forced to sit out of part of ESL Pro League Season 10.

The other two members of that Ninjas in Pyjamas roster, Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund and Robin “Fifflaren” Johansson, were not reported to be linked to Dignitas. 

GeT_RiGhT is currently a free agent after leaving NiP following the StarLadder Berlin Major. He is set to analyze the ECS Season 8 Finals but has indicated that he wants to continue competing in CSGO. It is unclear if he is Dignitas’ fifth target. Fifflaren also works as a caster and analyst at various events.

According to Lewis’ report, Dignitas has already added an outside player. The team has signed AWPer Håkon “hallzerk” Fjærlih on a trial basis. When and if the move goes through, there would still be a spot remaining on the five-man roster.

NiP falls on hard times while other organizations scoop up talent

Ninjas in Pyjamas came under fire in August after Fifflaren alleged exploitative practices and withheld earnings by the organization by both past and current ownership. This came alongside a steady competitive decline for a team that once posted an incredible 82-0 map win streak in live tournaments. NiP hasn’t won a prestigious tournament since IEM Oakland in 2017.

Dignitas was bought out by the NBA’s Philidelphia 76ers in 2017. The organization’s potential return to CSGO follows several other notable organizations returning to the game including 100 Thieves and Evil Geniuses.

With more teams returning, it seems as though there is more going on than meets the eye. Valve’s recent attention to CSGO suggests that the company could take a more active role in the professional scene in the future.