Inner Circle sign headtr1ck after Flierax benching

Ukrainian AWPer Daniil “headtr1ck” Valitov has officially joined Inner Circle, marking his return to competitive play after several months away from the server. The 21-year-old sniper joins the team following the benching of Artem “Flierax” Khioara earlier in March, as the organization continues to adjust its lineup after an inconsistent start to the year. 

The roster move comes shortly after Inner Circle decided to place Flierax on the transfer list, ending the 20-year-old’s five-month tenure with the starting lineup. The decision followed a series of mixed results in early-season competitions and qualifiers, prompting the organization to search for a replacement who could strengthen the squad’s firepower and stability. 

Headtr1ck joins Inner Circle after a brief period as a free agent. The Ukrainian player had previously been listed for transfer by B8 and later became available without restrictions, allowing him to explore opportunities with new teams. His move to Inner Circle therefore represents a quick return to professional play after a relatively short break from official competition. 

Despite his young age, headtr1ck already has experience competing at the highest levels of Counter-Strike. Over the course of his career he has represented several notable organizations, including NAVI Junior, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and B8. During his time with these teams, he built a reputation as a capable AWPer with solid consistency and mechanical skill. Across hundreds of professional maps, he has maintained a rating slightly above the average mark of 1.00, highlighting his reliability as a rifler and sniper in high-level competition.

His most recent stint was with B8, where he played as the team’s primary AWPer before being moved to the bench earlier this year while the organization experimented with alternative options in the role. Following that decision, headtr1ck eventually entered the free-agent pool, paving the way for his eventual signing with Inner Circle. 

For Inner Circle, the move is part of a broader effort to stabilize the roster and improve results in international competition. The organization assembled its current core in September 2025 when it signed the full lineup of TNL, with the team competing in events such as ESL Pro League and various online European tournaments under the Inner Circle banner. 

The squad has struggled to consistently convert promising performances into deep tournament runs during the opening months of 2026. While the team achieved some notable wins in qualifiers and smaller events, it also suffered several early exits, including finishes outside the top eight in multiple online competitions. Those results ultimately led the organization to initiate roster adjustments in hopes of raising the team’s competitive ceiling. 

With headtr1ck’s arrival, Inner Circle’s lineup now features Arseniy “cptkurtka023” Derevinskiy, Eduard “zeRRoFIX” Petrovskyi, Viktor “onic” Babii, David “Dawy” Bibik, and the newly added AWPer. The team is coached by Dmytro “jR” Chervak, who has been working with the roster since late 2025. 

The addition of a dedicated sniper with tier-one experience could prove significant for the team as it continues to compete in European events and qualifiers throughout the season. For headtr1ck, the transfer offers an opportunity to re-establish himself after his departure from B8 and once again demonstrate the level that previously earned him opportunities with prominent organizations in the Counter-Strike scene.

Whether the change will translate into improved results remains to be seen, but the signing clearly signals Inner Circle’s intention to remain competitive and continue refining its roster in pursuit of stronger performances in the months ahead.