Luca “Luken” Nadotti has officially rejoined 9z, marking his return to the squad after two and a half years. His comeback brings stability to the lineup as the team enters the new season with a familiar face.
This move marks Luken’s third spell with La Violeta, having previously played for the team in 2019 for four months and later in 2022 for five months. During his second stint, he played a key role in securing 9z’s historic qualification for PGL Major Antwerp, where he and Martin “rox” Molina became the first Argentinian players to compete in a Major.
His signing also aligns with the January 6 report from Dust2.com.br, which hinted at changes within 9z, including the potential arrival of Gustavo “yel” Knittel as head coach. While the coaching change has yet to be confirmed officially, Luken’s addition solidifies the team’s player roster ahead of the 2025 season.
‘El Toro’ will step into the role of a rifler, filling the void left by Nicolás “buda” Kramer, and will play alongside Antonio “MartinezSa” Martinez as part of the restructured squad. Though Luken hasn’t seen extensive action since July 2022, having only competed in 47 maps, his short-lived stint with BESTIA in early 2023 and his 1.10 rating over 8 maps as a stand-in for 9z last May showed that he still has plenty to offer.
9z’s 2024 season had its highs and lows, including a memorable semi-final finish at IEM Dallas and a FiReLEAGUE Global Finals victory, but the team struggled to maintain consistency beyond those achievements. With Luken returning to the lineup, the organization hopes to revitalize its roster and strengthen its chances in the competitive scene around Maximiliano “max” Gonzalez.
The updated 9z roster now features:
- Maximiliano “max” Gonzalez (Uruguay)
- Franco “dgt” Garcia (Uruguay)
- Antonio “MartinezSa” Martinez (Spain)
- Matias “HUASOPEEK” Ibañez Hernandez (Chile)
- Luca “Luken” Nadotti (Argentina)
