s1mple signs three-year extension with NAVI

Natus Vincere have announced that Oleksandr “⁠s1mple⁠” Kostyliev has signed an extension to his current contract with the organization, which will see the 25-year-old remain with the team for three more years.

s1mple joined Natus Vincere in 2016 from Liquid and has since become an integral part of the team’s success over the past six years, powering the organization to victory at several S-tier events as well as their first-ever Major in CS:GO.

Since he made the move, the Ukrainian superstar has made appearances in the top 20 players’ ranking every year, placing fourth in 2016, eighth in 2017, first in 2018, second in 2019 and 2020, and reclaiming the title of the world’s best player again in 2021.

The “Undertaker” helped Natus Vincere lift 11 trophies from big events such as ESL One New York 2016, IEM Cologne 2018, and BLAST Premier Spring Finals 2022. His contributions also resulted in the team’s success at the PGL Major Stockholm as well as their victory in the third edition of the Intel Grand Slam.

With this extension, Natus Vincere tie down their franchise player ahead of the IEM Rio 2022 Major: “Brazil will be the place for s1mple to once again become one of the architects of NAVI’s success,” read the Ukrainian organization’s statement.

Natus Vincere claimed the top step of the podium at the European RMR in Malta and secured a Legends Stage spot at the upcoming Major. As usual, s1mple was a key part of their success, registering a 1.48 rating and a 1.55 impact rating.

Natus Vincere have the following roster:

Denis “⁠electroNic⁠” Sharipov
Ilya “⁠Perfecto⁠” Zalutskiy
Valeriy “⁠b1t⁠” Vakhovskiy
Oleksandr “⁠s1mple⁠” Kostyliev
Viktor “⁠sdy⁠” Orudzhev (trial)

Andrey “⁠B1ad3⁠” Gorodenskiy (coach)