Cloud9 signed a contract with BUSTER.

After several weeks of deliberation and negotiations, Cloud9 has chosen to replace Timofey “interz” Yakushin. The organization plans to enter the 2023 season with a revamped roster, as they aim to sign Timur “buster” Tulepov, as reported by various sources including HLTV.org.

The team has been searching for a replacement for Interz for at least a month following the conclusion of the 2022 campaign at the IEM Rio Major. Buster has been a frontrunner from the get-go, although other players were also under consideration.

Buster’s first tournament under Cloud9 is slated to be IEM Katowice. Cloud9 has secured an entry into the Play-in stage, kicking off on January 31st, offering eight spots in the group stage.

Joining Cloud9 will mark the end of Buster’s six-month hiatus since being benched from Outsiders after the conclusion of PGL Major Antwerp in late May. He and Mareks “YEKINDAR” Galinskis REPLACED David “n0rb3r7” Danielyan and Petr “fame” Bolyshov in the team. While the Latvian quickly found a new home in Liquid, the 23-year-old Kazakh rifler had a longer wait.

If the signing of Buster goes through, Cloud9’s lineup for IEM Katowice will be as follows:

• Vladislav “nafany” Gorshkov
• Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov
• Sergey “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov
• Abay “HObbit” Khasenov
• Timur “buster” Tulepov
• Konstantin “groove” Pikiner (coach)