Aurora Gaming signs Damjan Stoilkovski as new IGL on July 8, 2026
Aurora Gaming has finalized its transition to an international Counter-Strike 2 roster with the signing of Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski as the team’s new in-game leader. The announcement, made on July 8, 2026, completes a significant rebuild for the Serbian-based organization as it moves away from its previously all-Turkish core.
The 26-year-old Macedonian captain joins following a stint with Team Falcons, where he was recently benched to accommodate the arrival of Finn “karrigan” Andersen.
Strategic shift for Aurora Gaming following Cologne Major
The addition of Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski is the final piece of a recruitment drive that also brought in Finnish player Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo and British coach Ashley “ashhh” Battye.
To make room for the new international talent, longtime members Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli and Caner “soulfly” Kesici have moved to the inactive roster, while coach Sezgin “Fabre” Kalaycı has also departed.
This shift aligns Aurora with a broader industry movement, as the organization now joins the majority of top-tier teams that have adopted international lineups to remain competitive.
The decision to overhaul the roster comes shortly after Aurora secured a top-four finish at the IEM Cologne Major 2026, where they eventually fell to FURIA in the semifinals. Despite this high placement, management believed the previous all-Turkish iteration had reached its maximum potential.
By pivoting to an international structure, the organization aims to solidify its standing among the elite; Aurora currently holds the 8th position in the Valve Regional Standings and is ranked 9th globally by Valve.
For Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski, the move represents a fresh start after over two months of inactivity following his benching at Team Falcons in April 2026. During his time with the Saudi-backed organization, he achieved notable success by winning PGL Bucharest 2025.
Although he received interest from other parties during the transfer window—including an approach from the CEO of BC.Game—the Macedonian strategist ultimately chose Aurora as his next destination to lead their new European project.
Integration of international talent and coaching staff
The new roster features a mix of established Turkish stars and respected European imports. Valve’s competitive landscape continues to demand high-level consistency, and the acquisition of Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo is central to this goal.
The 19-year-old Finn previously spent his formative years within the MOUZ organization, having been unbanned from Valve-sponsored events in 2023 following a change in eligibility guidelines. His resume includes multiple international trophies, such as ESL Pro League Season 18 and 19. Jimpphat, born in September 2006, began his competitive journey in 2020 with Team REHTI.
Before his promotion to the main MOUZ roster in July 2023, he carved out a reputation as a rising talent. His experience in high-stakes tournaments and consistent performance, including being ranked the 17th best player of 2024 by HLTV, makes him a significant asset to Aurora’s ambitions.
Overseeing this integration is Ashley “ashhh” Battye, who joins as coach after nearly five years with GamerLegion. His experience will be vital in managing a roster that now spans multiple nationalities and backgrounds. The departures from the previous era are absolute, as Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli has retired as a player. Battye, a 35-year-old Brit, coached GamerLegion to the grand final of the BLAST.tv Paris Major. He stepped down from GamerLegion in October 2025, citing burnout due to an intense schedule. Now, he’ll be tasked with uniting a diverse group of players and forging a cohesive unit.
This marks a turning point for the organization as it moves beyond the regional identity that defined its rise over the last two years.
The confirmed Aurora CS2 roster as of July 8, 2026
The organization confirmed the following five-man starting lineup and coaching staff that will represent Aurora in upcoming competitions:
- İsmailсan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş (Turkey)
- Ali “Wicadia” Haydar Yalçın (Turkey)
- Özgür “woxic” Eker (Turkey)
- Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo (Finland)
- Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski (North Macedonia) – In-Game Leader
- Ashley “ashhh” Battye (United Kingdom) – Coach
While the core of the team remains rooted in Turkish talent with İsmailсan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş and Özgür “woxic” Eker, the introduction of English-language communication and international leadership represents a new chapter. Fans will be watching closely to see if the raw aiming power of the veteran Turkish riflers can be effectively harnessed by the Macedonian captain’s tactical systems.
Tournament debut and the road to BLAST Bounty
The international lineup will not have much time for intensive practice before their first official test. Aurora is scheduled to debut this roster during the online qualifiers for BLAST Bounty Summer 2026. The online stage of the competition is set to begin on July 21, 2026. This immediate plunge into competitive play means that kyxsan and ash will have to quickly integrate their strategies and adapt to their new teammates. The qualifiers for BLAST Bounty Summer 2026 are crucial, as a strong performance can set the tone for the entire season and validate Aurora’s strategic shift.
This debut will provide an immediate look at how the team handles high-pressure qualifying matches and whether the recent changes can propel them further up the Valve Regional Standings.
The stakes surrounding these matches remain high as organizations navigate the current economic climate of esports. While some business leaders have discussed consolidation in the wider gaming industry, Aurora’s focus remains on tactical superiority and ranking stability. If the team can maintain its top-10 status in the coming months, the investment in Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski and Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo will be viewed as a successful evolution of a project that began in 2022.