Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov Close To Signing With Falcons

Recent reports indicate that Team Falcons is approaching the final stages of securing a significant acquisition: the coveted G2 Esports Counter-Strike 2 AWPer, Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov. This multi-million dollar transfer is anticipated to be finalized just in time for the upcoming BLAST.tv Austin Major, scheduled to commence on June 2, 2025, although an official confirmation date has yet to be established.

At the heart of this development is the strategic decision for m0NESY, the exceptional 19-year-old talent, to replace Abdul “degster” Gasanov as the Falcons’ starting AWPer. This transfer is not entirely new territory for m0NESY and Team Falcons; he had previously been on their radar during the winter offseason when they made an overture to G2 Esports.

During negotiations, m0NESY toyed with the idea of departing G2 Esports. However, discussions fell through as G2 opted to retain another star player, Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, who had recently vacated the team. The close bond between NiKo and m0NESY may have largely influenced the latter’s decision regarding his future, especially in light of NiKo’s exit.

For G2 Esports, this transfer opportunity is timely. Selling m0NESY now may be preferable to facing a scenario where they lose him at the conclusion of his contract without any financial return or leverage. This decision comes on the heels of a challenging start to the season for both G2 Esports and Team Falcons, both of which have encountered difficulties in their competitive campaigns.

Although the Falcons demonstrated prowess with a grand final appearance at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, they have struggled to reach the knockout stages in subsequent tournaments. G2 Esports also began their season with promise, achieving a semifinal berth at the BLAST Bounty Spring 2025; however, they have not surpassed a top-six finish in their last three LAN events. These adversities render their respective roster changes a logical response to recalibrate their trajectories and recover competitive ground, even as m0NESY’s absence poses a significant challenge for G2 Esports to fill.

m0NESY’s remarkable career trajectory has secured him four MVP awards, and he was recognized as the world’s second-best player in 2024. Over his three-year tenure with G2 Esports, he significantly contributed to the team’s achievements, boasting an impressive performance rating of 1.22. Notably, G2 Esports invested a substantial $600,000 to secure m0NESY from Natus Vincere in 2022, a testament to his value and potential.

As m0NESY is poised to don the Team Falcons jersey, speculation remains regarding who will inherit the role of primary AWPer at G2 Esports post-transfer, as the team grapples with the implications of his departure on their performance and strategic direction.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds in the dynamic world of esports.