FaZe Clan bench rain after 10 years on CS2 roster

FaZe Clan have benched their longtime Counter-Strike 2 player Håvard “rain” Nygaard to make room for the return of Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken.

The roster change was announced on Monday, September 29, just over a week after FaZe Clan welcomed back Twistzz, who rejoined the European squad after spending two years with Team Liquid.

The benching ends the Norwegian player’s decade-long spell with FaZe Clan, who he joined in January 2016 as part of their inaugural lineup.

During his journey, rain has won 19 big events with FaZe, including PGL Major Antwerp 2022, Intel Grand Slam Season 4 in 2023, and two ESL Pro League titles.

He also won MVP awards at four tournaments: ELEAGUE Premier 2017, Esports Championship Series Season 4, Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023, and the Antwerp Major.

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“After 10 unforgettable years, the time has come for me to say goodbye to FaZe Clan. And although FaZe has decided to go another direction, I am beyond proud of what we have achieved the past decade,” rain said in an X post.

“To my teammates, past and present, I just want to say thank you for the countless memories, amazing matches, and trophies we have lifted. Playing alongside some of the most talented individuals in the game has been an honor.”

Despite ending his chapter with FaZe, the 31-year-old says he has no intention of retiring from the game and is open to new offers in any role.

With rain joining Olof “olofmeister” Kajbjer on the bench and Twistzz returning to his old team, FaZe Clan now field a fresh roster which will debut on October 4 in Stage 2 of ESL Pro League Season 22.

While FaZe are among the eight teams to earn a direct invite to the second stage, the best esports betting sites had them as +2100 outsiders in pre-tournament outright markets.