JUGi out of Astralis after two months, Bubzkji signed to two-year contract

M Alzamora Published 31/07/2020

MAD Lion’s Lucas “Bubzkji” Andersen has officially signed with Danish CSGO organization Astralis on a two-year contract, according to an official press release from the organization,

After just over two months under the Astralis banner, the organization has released Jakob “JUGi” Hansen in favor of the MAD Lions rifler. Initial indications pointed towards the players transfer to Astralis as recently as July 30. Bubzkji was originally benched by MAD Lions in late June after a disappointing team performance at the CS Summit 6 qualifiers.

Early reports indicated that Bubzkji was originally in talks with fellow ESL Pro League team Ninjas in Pyjamas as recently as July 25 as a replacement for Jonas “Lekr0” Olofsson, but the deal fell through at the last minute. That news was followed quickly by rumors that Astralis was pursuing the rifler. The press release also announced that Astralis has signed Bubzkji to a two-year contract, doubling down on the organization’s claim that its expanded roster is not just a short-term project.

Bubzkji’s Astralis signing follows failed deal with Ninjas in Pyjamas

Both JUGI and fellow Astralis member Patrick “es3tag” Hansen were brought on shortly before Astralis announced that two of its long-time star players, Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander and Andreas “Xyp9x” Højsleth, would take leaves of absence.

In what is becoming a strange habit for Astralis, Bubzkji’s signing is the second time since March where Astralis has quickly signed a player that seemed destined for another team at the last minute. This pattern has caused some fans and analysts to question whether the organization’s last-second signings could be considered meddling in the business of teams.

Astralis’ director of sport Kevin Hvidt was bullish on Bubzkji’s signing.

“We have looked for a skilled, hungry profile that could step right in and take his natural role on the team. Lucas “Bubzkji” Andersen fulfills all these criteria and I am glad we have managed to secure his signature on a two-year contract. As always it will take time to get used to Astralis’ playbook, but after talking with him, the coach, and the team, I have no doubt Lucas will be able to contribute from day one,” Hvidt said.

Bubzkji expressed apprecaition for the opportunity to play with the championships squad.

“Astralis leaves nothing to chance and I love their approach to the game… Introducing new ways to prepare and to improve is how they have managed to stay on top for years and even though I am very humble about this, I am so ready to be a part of the team and to work my butt off. For the team and for all the amazing fans,” Bubzkji said.

Astralis declined to comment to WIN.gg on the expected return of either gla1ve and Xyp9x, but it’s clear that the team has struggled without two of its star players. Over the course of the past several tournaments played without the two, the team has gone 2-2, with losses to Ninjas in Pyjamas and G2 Esports balanced by wins over fellow Danish teams North and Heroic.

M Alzamora

About M Alzamora

There are few things that writer M Alzamora loves more in life than Pokemon. And there are even fewer things that she loves more than her favorite Pokemon, Eevee. But M’s appreciation for gaming isn’t just limited to Nintendo’s famous pocket monsters. She’s interested in every type of game across every genre of gaming, and she has the credentials to prove it. M’s work has also been seen on Working Classicists and gaming sites.

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