ICY Leaves NOVAQ, Returns to Virtus.pro Bench Amid Ongoing CS2 Roster Uncertainty

Kazakh AWPer Kaisar 'ICY' Faiznurov has officially left NOVAQ and returned to Virtus.pro as a substitute, marking yet another move in his unstable 2026 season.

NOVAQ confirmed the departure on March 31, stating that the decision was made “by mutual agreement.” Shortly after, Virtus.pro announced that ICY would rejoin the team starting April 1 — not as part of the active roster, but on the bench. The organization also emphasized it is open to transfer or loan offers for the player.

ICY’s Short-Lived NOVAQ Stint

ICY joined NOVAQ on loan in early February 2026, following a brief period with ALLINNERS. The move was initially seen as a step up, as the player himself reportedly wanted to compete in a stronger roster environment.

However, the transfer did not lead to notable results. NOVAQ failed to achieve significant tournament success during his time with the team, and the partnership ended after less than two months.

A Turbulent 6-Month Timeline

ICY’s current situation reflects a broader pattern of instability in his career over the past half-year:

October 2025: Benched by Virtus.pro

January 2026: Loaned to ALLINNERS

February 2026: Loaned to NOVAQ

April 2026: Returns to Virtus.pro bench

His removal from the starting lineup ended a 10-month run with Virtus.pro, during which he posted an average 1.02 rating but failed to deliver deep playoff finishes.

Virtus.pro’s Ongoing Roster Rebuild

ICY’s situation is part of a larger restructuring within Virtus.pro’s CS2 division. The organization previously promoted academy player Vladimir “b1st” Krasikov to replace him, signaling a shift toward rebuilding and experimentation.

Since then, Virtus.pro has continued to explore roster changes, indicating that the team is still searching for a stable and competitive lineup in Counter-Strike 2.

Player Reaction: “Everything Will Be Fine”

Despite multiple roster moves, ICY has maintained a calm public stance regarding his former team.

In a February interview, he avoided discussing internal issues but stated:

“I think everything will be fine for them.”

This suggests there is no public conflict between the player and Virtus.pro, even as his role within the organization remains uncertain.

What’s Next for ICY?

At this stage, ICY is not expected to return to the starting lineup of Virtus.pro. Instead, the organization is actively considering:

Permanent transfer offers

New loan opportunities

Potential long-term restructuring decisions

Given his young age and tier-one experience, ICY remains a viable option on the transfer market — particularly for teams seeking an experienced AWPer with international exposure.