Berlin, May 28, 2019 – The successful BIG. OMEN Academy team continues to strengthen its roster, signing top talents "devraNN" and "prosus" as new additions for the upcoming season.
Within eight months, the BIG. OMEN Academy team fought its way to the national top of the 99damage Liga. Promotion to Division 1 was a strong statement. However, after Christopher "PREET" Glaser departed for expert eSport, we needed to fill a gap. Alexander "ReactioNNN" Grassauer will also serve as a substitute for the time being. Both parties have agreed on a competitive break. When searching for young talent, we had very ambitious goals from the very start of establishing our academy team. With today's signings of top talents David "prosus" Hesse and Michael "devraNN" Geutebrück, we are setting the course for the future and aim to build on our previous successes. In addition, 17-year-old Finn Luca Wettern, formerly of PlayingDucks, will support the BIG. OMEN Academy team and Christian Lenz in all team matters starting next season. As early as next week, the new BIG. OMEN Academy team will showcase its skills for the first time in the ESL Meisterschaft. On June 16, the team kicks off the new 99damage Liga season in Division 1 with David "prosus" Hesse and Michael "devraNN" Geutebrück.
Statement Daniel Finkler, CEO BIG
After the departure of Christopher "PREET" Glaser and the new role of Alexander "ReactioNNN" Grassauer, it was important for us not only to fill these gaps—we wanted to elevate the team to a new level. In consultation with our coaching staff, our attention immediately turned to the young, rising top talents David "prosus" Hesse and Michael "devraNN" Geutebrück. Given the importance of youth development within our organization, signing these talents was our highest priority. I want to emphasize once again that we take youth development very seriously together with our partner OMEN by HP, and promoting a BIG. OMEN Academy player into our professional roster is one of the objectives I pursue personally, together with our sporting leadership.
Statement Christian Lenz, Chief Gaming Officer
We are starting the third season with the BIG. OMEN by HP Academy team and are now making bigger changes for the first time to strengthen the team long-term. After we agreed on a transfer of PREET with expert eSports and agreed on a break with ReactioNNN, we had the opportunity to rebuild the team with new, high-quality talent. The BIG. OMEN Academy team holds a high priority within the organization, and our goal remains to give young, highly gifted and motivated players a pathway into the pro scene. I am very happy that we were able to sign two of Germany's biggest talents long-term. From now on, prosus (16) and devraNN (17) will support our team and take their next development steps with us. Both players have already gained experience at several small LAN events and in German leagues. There is also a change in team management, as we did not want to stand in the way of a good offer for Eule. He will be replaced by Finn Luca Wettern from Playing Ducks, who has done a great job with the Ducks in Peine in recent months and previously at WiseWizards, and in my eyes is a major hope for what is admittedly a very weak manager scene. A big thank you once again to OMEN by HP, who continue to invest in youth with us and support this great project so vigorously, as well as Sam, Alex and Chris for your strong commitment since the team's founding!
Statement Michael "devraNN" Geutebrück, Player BIG. OMEN Academy
I am very confident and at the same time excited to tackle the season with the guys from BIG. OMEN Academy. Through hard work, the talent of the players, and the support of the organization, we will do everything we can to achieve our goals. I would like to thank BIG and the players for the trust and the opportunity to develop both as a player and as a person!
Statement David "prosus" Hesse, Player BIG. OMEN Academy
I am excited about the opportunity I have been given at BIG. OMEN Academy. I am very confident that with the new lineup we can play a good season, both in the 99Damage Liga and in the ESL Meisterschaft. I am also sure I can learn a lot here. My goal is to eventually compete with the best in the world, and I am convinced this is the right place to start. For me right now, there is no better organization than BIG to develop both in-game and on a personal level.
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