ICY Joins NOVAQ on Loan from Virtus.pro – Full Context, Quotes, and Roster Impact

ICY has officially joined NOVAQ on a loan deal from Virtus.pro, continuing a series of short-term moves aimed at keeping the player active in competitive Counter-Strike 2.

The Kazakh AWPer will replace k4zmo in the starting lineup. The transfer was confirmed by multiple reputable sources, including Cybersport.ru and HLTV, with no contradictions reported.

Why ICY Moved to NOVAQ

ICY’s move comes shortly after his loan spell with ALLINNERS, making this a loan-to-loan transfer under an active Virtus.pro contract.

According to reports, the player personally requested the move once the NOVAQ option became available. The main reason cited was the opportunity to compete with a higher-ranked roster, increasing his exposure in Tier-2 tournaments and improving his chances of long-term roster placement.

This aligns with Virtus.pro’s previously stated strategy: prioritize match practice and competitive consistency for benched players rather than inactivity.

Timeline of ICY’s Recent Career Moves

December 2024: ICY officially signs with Virtus.pro

October 2025: ICY is benched; b1st is promoted to the main roster

January 8, 2026: ICY joins ALLINNERS on loan

February 2026: ICY transfers to NOVAQ on loan from Virtus.pro

Each step has been publicly confirmed by team announcements and major CS2 media outlets.

Official Virtus.pro Statements

When ICY initially joined ALLINNERS, Virtus.pro stated:

“This will give ICY the opportunity to focus on his game and further development, while his future career steps will be determined by the results of the season and interest from other teams.”

Earlier, when the player was benched, Virtus.pro emphasized that the organization was:

“Open to exploring different options for the player’s future.”

These comments reinforce that the NOVAQ loan fits into a long-term development and evaluation plan, rather than being a short-term emergency move.

NOVAQ Roster with ICY (Loan)

The updated NOVAQ lineup now includes:

neaLaN

def1zer

Pump

tasman

ICY (loan from Virtus.pro)

This roster positions NOVAQ as a competitive Tier-2 team with international ambitions in upcoming CS2 events.

What This Means for the CS2 Transfer Market

ICY’s situation highlights a growing trend in Counter-Strike 2 esports:

Loan systems are increasingly used to develop young talent

Tier-1 organizations maintain contractual control while players gain exposure

Tier-2 teams benefit from experienced players without long-term commitments

For Virtus.pro, the move keeps a promising AWPer active. For NOVAQ, it’s a clear upgrade in firepower and experience. For ICY, it’s another chance to prove he deserves a permanent spot at a higher competitive level.