Aurora Bench JottAAA, Sign Rifler “soulfly” Ahead of 2026 Season
Aurora Bench JottAAA, Sign Rifler “soulfly” Ahead of 2026 Season
Aurora Gaming — the Turkish-based Counter-Strike 2 organisation competing at the top tier of the esports scene — has made a notable roster change as it prepares for the upcoming competitive year. On December 27, 2025, the organisation officially announced that Caner “soulfly” Kesici has been signed to the team’s active lineup, with Samet “jottAAA” Köklü being moved to the bench.
The decision comes after a mixed 2025 campaign for Aurora. The team, which rose to prominence earlier in the year after acquiring Eternal Fire’s former roster, secured a highlight moment by winning PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 — an international event with significant prize money and strong competition. However, the rest of the year featured inconsistent results, especially at elite events such as StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, where Aurora fell short of deep playoff runs that would firmly establish them among the world’s elite.
While the victory at PGL Masters Bucharest marked a high point, the overall trajectory of the team left management seeking ways to elevate performance and strategic depth. Aurora finished 2025 ranked #9 in the world, a solid position but one that belied the organisation’s aspirations to challenge perennial contenders like Team Vitality, Falcons, and MOUZ at Tier-1 competitions.
Who Is soulfly?
The newcomer, Caner “soulfly” Kesici, is a 21-year-old Turkish rifler whose profile has grown steadily over recent seasons. Prior to joining Aurora, soulfly spent more than two years with Sangal Esports, where he initially made a name for himself, and then moved to Fire Flux, an emerging European organisation. During his time at Fire Flux, soulfly posted strong individual performance metrics, averaging a 1.15 rating across nearly 400 maps, a key factor in his rising reputation.
His impressive statistics with Fire Flux earned him recognition on the HLTV Prospect Report, where he was listed as one of the top rising talents, reinforcing his potential as a long-term playmaker on the international stage.
Aurora announced that soulfly will make his official debut for the team in just over two weeks, with his first competitive action expected during the online stage of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1. This event will set the tone for Aurora’s early 2026 calendar and serve as an initial test of how the updated roster meshes under pressure.
The Situation with jottAAA
In contrast, Samet “jottAAA” Köklü’s future within Aurora has shifted dramatically. The 23-year-old spent much of 2025 contributing to Aurora’s results after joining from Eternal Fire in April, a move that brought fresh talent and excitement to the squad. However, after months of competitive play, the organisation opted to bench him in favour of the younger soulfly, signalling a strategic pivot ahead of the new season.
JottAAA’s individual statistics show that while he provided value to the roster, his performance — including a rating that hovered around the baseline and inconsistencies in high-pressure moments — may have contributed to Aurora’s decision to reorganise its core five players.
As a result of this change, jottAAA currently has no confirmed future team within the professional Counter-Strike scene. It remains to be seen whether he will seek offers from other organisations, make a return to Eternal Fire’s system, or explore opportunities in secondary teams or regional competitions.
Aurora’s Updated Roster
With the addition of soulfly, Aurora’s active starting five now consists of:
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Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli (In-game leader)
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Ismailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş (Star rifler)
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Özgür “woxic” Eker (AWPer)
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Ali “Wicadia” Haydar Yalçın (Main rifler)
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Caner “soulfly” Kesici (New rifler)
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Sezgin “Fabre” Kalaycı (Coach)
This Turkish-dominated lineup emphasises national talent and chemistry, a model Aurora has pursued since adopting the Eternal Fire core earlier in 2025. Maintaining domestic cohesion appears to be a priority for the organisation as it attempts to refine roles and responsibilities heading into a packed 2026 season.
Implications and Community Reaction
The roster shuffle has generated considerable discussion within the Counter-Strike community. Some fans have questioned whether replacing jottAAA with soulfly will address Aurora’s underlying issues, pointing to the team’s broader strategic struggles — particularly in mid-round decision-making and anchor play — as areas that require more than a single signature change.
Others have highlighted that soulfly’s strong individual numbers and potential for growth could inject fresh energy and unpredictability into Aurora’s tactical setup. The team’s ability to assimilate his playstyle with established personalities like XANTARES and woxic will likely be a key storyline in early 2026.
Despite the debate, one consensus among analysts is clear: Aurora’s management expects that roster moves this winter will determine whether they can break through to consistent Tier-1 contention or remain stuck in a cycle of early exits and sporadic success.
Looking Ahead
Aurora’s decision to bench jottAAA and bring in soulfly marks a significant moment in the team’s ongoing evolution. With high-profile events such as BLAST Bounty 2026, IEM events, and potentially another Major on the horizon, the pressure will be on Aurora to justify this change with tangible results. Fans and pundits alike will be watching to see if soulfly’s addition pays immediate dividends or if further adjustments are still needed to push the team closer to its lofty goals.
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