Cloud9 close in on Xeppaa
The North American youngster could soon join the 'Colossus' after shining during his time with Chaos.
Cloud9 are close to signing former Chaos player Erick "Xeppaa" Bach, HLTV.org and 1pv.fr have learned. The 20-year-old is currently out of contract after Chaos released their Counter-Strike lineup at the end of December, citing the "ongoing impacts" of the coronavirus pandemic.
It remains unclear whose spot Xeppaa will take in case he signs with the North American organisation. Cloud9 General Manager Henry "HenryG" Greer has made no secret that the team will have an expanded roster, but he has described the sixth player as a backup plan in case "anything goes wrong" and not as someone who will be used as part of squad rotation on certain maps.

Xeppaa is regarded as one of the best young prospects in his region. He joined Chaos in May 2020 alongside Nathan "leaf" Orf and has excelled for the team, who ended the year on a high note by winning IEM Beijing North America — beating Evil Geniuses in the semi-finals and then Triumph in the grand final — and DreamHack Masters Winter North America.
ex-Chaos are qualified for FunSpark ULTI 2020, which will take place in China sometime this year, and the IEM Katowice Play-In stage, but their future has been cast into further doubt after Anthony "vanity" Malaspina confirmed that he was moving to VALORANT. The remaining players and team coach Matthew "mCe" Elmore are yet to announce their future plans.
Cloud9 are also slated to attend IEM Katowice's Play-In stage, scheduled for February 16-17. The European team, who moved up to 22nd in the world rankings on Monday, are currently without a coach after Aleksandar "kassad" Trifunović was relieved of his duties last month following a "stylistic clash" with in-game leader Alex "ALEX" McMeekin, according to HenryG.
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