Aurora have confirmed a significant Counter-Strike 2 roster change ahead of the 2026 season, with Samet “jottAAA” Köklü moved to the bench and Caner “soulfly” Kesici brought in as his replacement. The decision was revealed across Aurora’s official social channels, signalling what the organisation described as the start of a new chapter rather than a farewell.

Fresh blood is here.

Welcome @soulflycs. pic.twitter.com/GN40RGr9tf

— Aurora CS2 (@AuroraCS2_GG) December 27, 2025

jottAAA Steps Down After a Mixed Year

In an emotional statement, Aurora Gaming announced that jottAAA has been removed from the active lineup following an internal decision. The organisation reflected on the highs and lows shared with the Turkish rifler, highlighting a journey filled with wins, defeats, and unforgettable moments.

jottAAA steps down from the active roster.

We’ve come a long way together. With many wins and defeats, tears and moments of excitement, but sometimes changes are needed to make a progress.

New chapter is just around the corner. pic.twitter.com/9nYCNY7wZL

— Aurora CS2 (@AuroraCS2_GG) December 27, 2025

jottAAA joined Aurora in April 2025 after the Eternal Fire roster moved under the Aurora banner. Across roughly eight months, the team competed in dozens of events, with their biggest success coming at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, where Aurora lifted the trophy and claimed $200,000 in prize money. Despite that highlight, the season as a whole fell short of expectations.

While Aurora frequently reached playoffs, they struggled to seriously challenge top contenders such as Vitality, Falcons, and MOUZ. That inconsistency ultimately led to changes within the five-man unit.

Aurora stressed that this move is not a final goodbye. jottAAA remains under contract and on the bench, with his future still unclear. Previous reports suggested the player had expressed interest in exploring other options, and Aurora have wished him success in whatever comes next.

soulfly Brings Fresh Blood to the Lineup

Moments after confirming jottAAA’s benching, Aurora unveiled their new signing, welcoming Caner soulfly Kesici to the active roster. The 21-year-old rifler arrives from Fire Flux Esports, where he spent the past year building a strong reputation on the tier-three scene.

soulfly impressed during his time with Fire Flux, posting an average 1.15 rating across nearly 400 maps. Those performances earned him a spot at number 38 on the HLTV Prospect Report, marking him as one of the more promising Turkish prospects heading into 2026.

Before Fire Flux, soulfly also spent over two years with Sangal, gaining valuable experience and steadily refining his game. Aurora are clearly hoping that consistency and firepower will translate at the top level.

A New Look Aurora for 2026

With the changes confirmed, Aurora’s updated CS2 roster now features an all-Turkish lineup led by experienced names and supported by emerging talent:

• Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli
• Ismailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş
• Özgür “woxic” Eker
• Ali “Wicadia” Haydar Yalçın
• Caner “soulfly” Kesici

Coaching duties remain with Sezgin Fabre Kalaycı, while jottAAA stays on the bench as Aurora evaluate their next steps.

Eyes on BLAST Bounty 2026

Fans will not have to wait long to see the new lineup in action. soulfly is set to make his Aurora debut in just over two weeks, when the team begins its campaign in the online stage of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1. Aurora will also feature in the BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 Closed Qualifier, where 32 teams will battle for eight spots at the LAN stage.

With fresh blood added and pressure mounting after a turbulent year, 2026 shapes up as a defining season for Aurora. Whether this move can push them from regular playoff contenders to consistent trophy challengers is a question that will soon be answered on the server.

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