FaZe Clan benching 'rain' after decade-long run

FaZe Clan announced the benching of longtime rifler Havard "rain" Nygaard from its Counter-Strike 2 roster on Monday.

The 31-year-old Norwegian had been with the team since January 2016, collecting 19 trophies during that span and earning four tournament MVP awards. Notable championships included ELEAGUE Premier 2016, the PGL Antwerp Major in 2022 and ESL Pro League Season 17 in 2023.

"To my teammates, past and present I just want to say thank you for the countless memories, amazing matches, and trophies we have lifted. Playing alongside some of the most talented individuals in the game has been an honor," rain posted Monday on X.

He said he hopes to continue his CS2 career, perhaps taking on an in-game leadership role.

"My journey in CS2 is far from over," rain posted. "I'm not retiring. I will keep competing and growing as a player. I'm open to offers for any role, and while stepping into the IGL role would be a new challenge for me, it's one I'm eager to embrace."

The departure of rain coincides with the recent return of Russel "Twistzz" Van Dulken. The revamped FaZe Clan roster will debut this weekend at ESL Pro League 22 Stage 2.

--Field Level Media