Nikita 'cmtry' Samolotov is poised to join Astralis on a loan deal, according to reports from Sebastien 'KRL' Perez, with HLTV sources backing up the information. The move marks a significant shift for the young Ukrainian player.
This development follows recent reports that Astralis were actively searching for immediate replacements after contract discussions with Rasmus 'HooXi' Nielsen and Jakob 'jabbi' Nygaard reached an impasse.
The 19-year-old was recently moved to the bench by FUT to accommodate Álvaro 'SunPayus' García after struggling with his performance. Despite showing brilliance during FUT's trophy run at PGL Bucharest earlier this year, where he earned the HLTV MVP award, cmtry has been unable to consistently replicate that elite level during his tenure in tier one competition.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of this potential move is the role change. Should the loan deal go through, cmtry would transition from AWPer to rifler. The Ukrainian has been wielding the sniper rifle since his days with NAVI Youth in 2023, making this a substantial tactical adjustment for the young talent.
