Swedish rifler Linus "nilo" Bergman will be promoted to HEROIC’s active Counter Strike 2 roster, replacing Turkish entry fragger Yasin "xfl0ud" Koç, who moves to the bench according to sources close to Sheep Esports. The move marks a significant internal shift for the roster, following months of testing and refinement after a turbulent start to 2025. Nilo’s promotion to the active roster comes as HEROIC prepares for a broader rebuild, having reached verbal agreements with AWPer Gleb "gr1ks" Gazin and Head Coach Tobias "TOBIZ" Theo to join the team. HEROIC has yet to make an official announcement, but the transition is already underway ahead of the team’s next competitive appearance.

A long-awaited debut

Nilo, 20, signed with HEROIC in January 2025, as previously reported by Sheep Esports, on a three-year contract following an impressive stint with Metizport, where he helped the team win the Svenska Cupen and posted a standout 1.21 HLTV rating across 2024. At the time, he was heralded as one of Sweden’s brightest young prospects — but despite initial plans to place him in the starting five, personal circumstances delayed his Tier 1 debut, and he began his HEROIC tenure on the bench.

Now, after six months in the reserve roster, Nilo finally joins the main team, bringing with him a blend of raw mechanics, sharp rifling, and a calm demeanor praised by coaches behind the scenes. Sources say his performances in internal scrims and practice have been "consistently strong," and his integration into the team’s structure has been smoother than expected, accelerating the timeline for his competitive debut.

A tactical trade-off

xfl0ud's departure from the starting lineup comes after a relatively short stint with HEROIC, having joined the team in January following his time with Sangal Esports. While his aggressive style brought flashes of impact, he reportedly struggled to find consistency within HEROIC’s evolving system. With Nilo stepping in, the team appears to be pivoting toward a more structured, mid-round focused style, favoring tactical discipline over raw explosiveness.

For Nilo, this moment represents both a long-awaited opportunity and a critical test. HEROIC remains under pressure to stabilize after a volatile year marked by roster experimentation, and all eyes will be on the young Swede as he steps into the Tier 1 spotlight for the first time.