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Aurora Locks In New CS2 Roster With kyxsan and Jimpphat
Aurora Gaming welcomes Damjan "kyxsan" Stoilkovski as its IGL to round out its new CS2 roster for the remainder of the 2026 season. This move follows the arrival of Jimpphat from MOUZ and Coach ashhh from GamerLegion two days ago. The roster is now complete, and the team looks geared up to take on the competition for the 2nd half of the year.
kyxsan, who was previously with Team Falcons, had been moved to the bench before the IEM Cologne Major, when the organization signed karrigan to lead the team. Now, after over two months of inactivity, the North Macedonian star returns to tier-1 Counter-Strike as the in-game leader for Aurora.
Prior to kyxsan's arrival, Aurora also announced the addition of Finnish anchor Jimi "Jimpphat" Salo. The 19‑year‑old has been competing since the age of 13 and spent roughly three years with MOUZ. During his time at the German organization, Jimpphat was a key part of a roster that won multiple tier 1 trophies, including two ESL Pro League seasons and PGL Cluj‑Napoca 2025. He also boasts several runner‑up and top‑4 finishes, highlighting his sharp aim, elite utility usage, and effectiveness as an anchor.
Let's take a closer look at Aurora's latest signings and what they bring to the team. To keep up to date with all CS2 transfer news and updates, check out our off‑season roster tracker.
Kyxsan Leads Aurora's Roster Overhaul
Aurora Gaming shifted from an all‑Turkish roster to an international lineup following their recent Major campaign, in which they secured a top‑4 finish after falling to FURIA in the semifinals. Soon after IEM Cologne, the organization moved MAJ3R, soulfly, and coach Fabre to the inactive roster, retaining only three members from the former Eternal Fire core.
Following the acquisition of two new players and a coach, the Aurora Gaming roster now comprises of:
With MAJ3R sidelined, the need for a proven Tier 1 IGL was imminent, and kyxsan proved to be the perfect fit. The 26‑year‑old brings considerable experience leading top Counter‑Strike teams. He rose to prominence with Apeks in 2023, when he led the organization to a miraculous top‑four finish at the Paris Major.
kyxsan's achievements with Apeks earned him a transfer to HEROIC, with whom he spent the entire 2024 season. While he ended the year trophyless, the team showed promise and delivered notable performances, including a top‑8 finish at the Shanghai Major. Success soon followed, as Team Falcons selected him in early 2025 to lead their star‑studded international project.
With Falcons, kyxsan attended seven Grand Finals, winning one — PGL Bucharest 2025. He also led the team to several third‑place finishes, including at the Esports World Cup 2025, IEM Chengdu 2025, and IEM Rio 2026.
While his overall career has seen relatively few silverware, kyxsan boasts an impressive track record of competing alongside and against some of CS2's top players. This, along with the experience of the existing Aurora core and the remarkable site‑anchoring and clutch potential Jimpphat brings, Aurora looks poised to climb the rankings and establish themselves as a team to watch.
What To Expect From Aurora’s New CS2 Roster
While the core of the roster remains unchanged, the addition of a new coach and IGL is sure to shift the team's dynamics. Formerly an all‑Turkish lineup, Aurora now has to accommodate new playstyles and philosophies as it enters a new era with an international squad.
The team's first tournament is likely to be the BLAST Bounty Summer Online Qualifiers, where they are among the 32 teams fighting for eight spots at the LAN Finals. With top sides like Vitality, Falcons, Spirit, NAVI, and others in the mix, it will be a tough test for a newly reconstructed Aurora. However, given the talent and experience the new additions bring to an already successful core, it would be unwise to write them off.
The second half of 2026 has plenty in store for top Counter‑Strike teams, including the Singapore Major, scheduled to begin in late November. Aurora currently sits 9th in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) rankings. If the team can carry forward the legacy of its former roster, we can expect them at the next Major, likely as one of the six European teams invited for Stage 3.
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Featured Image Credit: PGL
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