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British Call of Duty pro Charlie “Hicksy” Hicks has officially hung up the controller, closing the chapter on a career that took him from grinding in Challengers to lifting a trophy on the biggest stage.

For Hicksy, those achievements were far from ordinary. He became the first player since Scump and Bobby in Black Ops 1 to win his very first pro LAN, took home the sixth-highest rookie season placement average in CDL history, and reached the Grand Finals in his debut Champs, joining an elite list of just five players to ever do so.

From Challengers to Champs

Hicksy’s journey was anything but smooth. He spent over seven years grinding the Call of Duty Challengers circuit before finally breaking into the CDL in 2022 with Toronto Ultra. Starting out as a sub for Ultra Academy NA, he soon earned a spot on the main roster, and wasted no time making history, winning CDL Major 3 in 2023.

That same season, he helped Ultra reach the CDL Championship Grand Final, ultimately finishing runners-up to the NY Subliners. The second-place finish came with a hefty $660,000 prize, the biggest payday of his career.

But the CDL can be unforgiving. Just days after that high point, Ultra chose not to extend his contract. Hicksy wouldn’t return to the League until 2025, briefly playing with Vancouver Surge before being replaced early in the season. His last competitive appearance came with FiveFears at the Esports World Cup, where they placed 5–8th.

A respected teammate, a lasting legacy

The news of his retirement sparked tributes from across the scene. Fellow Brit Ben “Beans” McMellon shared a LAN photo of the two, while Byron “Nastie” Plumridge and former teammate Scrap offered their own words of support. Toronto Ultra also wished their former player well, thanking him for his time with the team.

In his farewell, Hicksy made it clear that while stepping away wasn’t easy, it’s far from the end of his story.

“Although I’m filled with sadness that it’s over, I keep reminding myself that as one door closes, another opens, and I’m looking forward to whatever is next for me.”

Whatever that next chapter is, the Call of Duty community will remember Hicksy not just for his wins, but for the passion, resilience, and friendships he built along the way.