G2 have signed Ukrainian AWPer Artem “r1nkle” Moroz from Ninjas in Pyjamas, filling the sniper vacancy created by the benching of Álvaro “SunPayus” García earlier the same day. The move was confirmed on 25 June 2026, days after G2 were knocked out of the IEM Cologne Major in the quarter-finals by Spirit.
New AWPer approaching ❗️
Welcome @r1nkle1 to G2. pic.twitter.com/WcRDto5eg2
— G2 CS (@G2CSGO) June 25, 2026
The signing is a surprise one. r1nkle arrives at G2 having just been dropped from the primary AWP role at Ninjas in Pyjamas after a poor start to the year, joining a roster that reached a Major quarter-final without him.
G2 Bench SunPayus After One Year
SunPayus joined G2 in July 2025 and averaged a 1.05 rating across his tenure, helping the organisation claim the BLAST Open London 2025 Finals title. His benching came shortly after G2’s Cologne Major run ended against Spirit in the quarter-finals, closing out a one-year spell with the team.
Today, we’re moving SunPayus to the bench
Thank you for all the plays and great vibes ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ja80NyMDJE
— G2 CS (@G2CSGO) June 25, 2026
G2 marked the move on X, writing that they were moving SunPayus to the bench and thanking him “for all the plays and great vibes”. The Spaniard is now benched rather than released, leaving his next destination unconfirmed.
Who Is r1nkle, G2’s New AWPer
r1nkle was signed by Ninjas in Pyjamas from B8 in April 2024 to replace compatriot Daniil “headtr1ck” Valitov, and showed flashes of potential across his first 18 months with the Swedish organisation. A poor run of form at the start of 2026 changed that, as he averaged a 1.02 rating against top-50 opposition and the side failed to qualify for the IEM Cologne Major. Ninjas in Pyjamas responded by signing Martin “stavn” Lund, who transitioned into the primary AWP role, pushing r1nkle out.
At G2 he steps straight into the AWP position vacated by SunPayus. Nemanja “huNter-” Kovač and head coach Eetu “sAw” Saha are the ones G2 are banking on to get more out of r1nkle and develop him into a difference-maker, framing the signing as a project rather than a finished upgrade.
Why G2 Did Not Promote kl1m
The vacancy raised the question of an internal promotion, but G2 are not considering moving academy AWPer Klimentii “kl1m” Krivosheev to the main team, despite the Russian being regarded as one of the most promising talents in the scene. kl1m has spent the last ten months on loan at MIBR, who remain hopeful of reaching a transfer agreement with G2.
G2’s Updated Counter-Strike 2 Roster
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Nemanja “huNter-” Kovač | Active |
| Matúš “MATYS” Šimko | Active |
| Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko | Active |
| Guy “NertZ” Iluz | Active |
| Artem “r1nkle” Moroz | Active (new) |
| Eetu “sAw” Saha | Coach |
| Álvaro “SunPayus” García | Benched |
When r1nkle Makes His G2 Debut
r1nkle will make his first appearance for G2 at BLAST Bounty Season 2, which begins on 21 July. The team then heads to the $2 million Esports World Cup in Paris in August, where the new-look five will get its first major test together.