Sources: Ruxic set to join Gentle Mates for 2027

Sources: Ruxic set to join Gentle Mates for 2027 | Sheep Esports

Ruxic is expected to join kozzy and Alfajer as part of Gentle Mates’ rebuild for 2027

Uğur “Ruxic” Güç is set to leave Natus Vincere and join Gentle Mates for the 2027 VALORANT Champions Tour season, according to sources close to Sheep Esports. The Turkish player is expected to make the move after spending nearly two years with NAVI.

Ruxic joined NAVI at the end of 2024 and has been part of the organization throughout the 2025 and 2026 seasons. His departure would be part of a major reshuffle for NAVI heading into the new VCT EMEA season, with Emirhan “hiro” Kat and Caide “chloric” Heaton also set to leave the organization for Team Heretics, as previously reported by Sheep Esports.

Another piece of Gentle Mates’ rebuild

Ruxic would become the latest addition to a Gentle Mates project that is already taking shape ahead of the 2027 season. Sheep Esports previously reported that the French organization is set to add Emir “Alfajer” Beder and Denis-Stefan “kozzy” Aionitoaei.

The three moves would give M8 a combination of established Tier 1 experience and one of the most promising players to emerge from the EMEA Tier 2 scene in 2026. Gentle Mates are also set to include Adam “kaplan” Kaplan as part of their plans for next season.

However, like every other organization in the region, Gentle Mates are not yet guaranteed a partnership spot under the new VCT EMEA format for 2027.

A difficult end to M8’s 2026 season

Gentle Mates' 2026 campaign began with an unexpected return to VCT EMEA after Riot Games removed KOI from the partnership league. Despite having to assemble its roster late, M8 quickly made an impact, securing the second European seed at Kickoff and qualifying for Masters Santiago, the organization's first international VALORANT LAN.

The French team made it through the group stage in Chile but were eliminated in the playoffs after consecutive losses to Nongshim RedForce and All Gamers.

M8 later finished 5th-6th at VCT EMEA Stage 1 and qualified for the Esports World Cup. In Paris, the organization once again reached the playoffs after advancing from its group, eventually finishing 5th-6th.

The season ended on a more difficult note, however, with Gentle Mates finishing 13th-16th in VCT EMEA Stage 2 after being eliminated in the Play-In by two Tier 2 teams, Enterprise Esports and Eintracht Frankfurt.