NIP Sign xKacpersky Permanently After Breakout CS2 Season

NIP Sign xKacpersky Permanently After Breakout CS2 Season

Ninjas in Pyjamas have officially signed Kacper “xKacpersky” Gabara on a permanent deal, confirming one of the most impactful CS2 roster moves of the past year. After joining on loan from ENCE in mid-2025, the Polish rifler quickly became the team’s top performer and a cornerstone of the lineup.

The organization finalized the transfer on April 1, 2026, ending months of speculation about his long-term future.

From Academy Prospect to NIP Star Player

xKacpersky’s journey is a rare full-circle story. He initially developed within NIP’s academy system (Young Ninjas) before moving to ENCE, where he gained tier-one experience. His return to NIP in July 2025 — replacing Rafael “arrozdoce” Wing — proved to be a turning point.

By the end of 2025, he was statistically NIP’s best player, consistently delivering high-impact performances against top-tier opposition.

xKacpersky Stats: One of CS2’s Best Rising Players

1.20 rating vs top-30 teams (early 2026)

1.22 LAN rating

1.46 rating at Budapest Major Stage 1

Ranked #1 in HLTV Prospects (January 2026)

These numbers underline why NIP moved quickly to secure the 19-year-old talent permanently.

NIP Staff and Player Reactions

NIP’s Head of Esports, Björn “THREAT” Pers, highlighted the significance of the signing:

“We’re thrilled to have xKacpersky fully back in NIP… from academy player to one of the hottest rookies in the world.”

In-game leader Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer also praised the rifler earlier in the season:

“He reminds me a lot of when I brought in NertZ… he fits perfectly into our system.”

Snappi emphasized that the team needed a naturally aggressive playmaker — a role xKacpersky immediately filled.

How xKacpersky Changed NIP’s Roster

The signing is part of a broader rebuild:

xKacpersky replaced arrozdoce

ewjerkz was later benched due to role conflicts

cairne joined to stabilize aggressive positions

These moves reshaped NIP into a more balanced and firepower-driven roster.

Current NIP Lineup (2026)

Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer

Rasmus “sjuush” Beck

Dmytro “r1nkle” Babenko

Artem “cairne” Mushynskyi

Kacper “xKacpersky” Gabara

Coach: Richard “Xizt” Landström

Major Qualification Pressure and Timing

The permanent transfer comes at a crucial moment. NIP are actively fighting for qualification to the IEM Cologne Major, where every VRS point matters.

Victory at Roman Imperium Cup VI boosted their ranking

Struggles at BLAST Open Rotterdam put pressure back on the team

Locking xKacpersky ensures roster stability during this critical phase of the CS2 competitive season.

xKacpersky on the Grind to Tier-One CS2

Reflecting on the team’s rise, xKacpersky previously admitted:

“It was pretty challenging… we had to grind a lot of open LANs.”

Despite the tough schedule, he emphasized his ambition to compete consistently at the highest level — something this permanent deal now enables.

Why This Transfer Matters in CS2

This move confirms several key trends in the CS2 esports scene:

Academy systems are producing tier-one stars

Young riflers are dominating the meta

Roster stability is critical for Major qualification

For NIP, securing xKacpersky is not just a transfer — it’s a long-term investment in a player already performing at elite level.

Conclusion

By making xKacpersky’s move permanent, Ninjas in Pyjamas have locked in one of the most promising players in CS2. With strong individual stats, proven LAN performances, and full trust from the team, he is now positioned as a central piece in NIP’s future.

As the race for Major qualification intensifies, this signing could define the organization’s success in 2026.