Monte, a Ukrainian CS2 team, has finalized its lineup by signing Bulgarian rifler Aleks “Rainwaker” Petrov to a permanent contract. Rainwaker impressed as a stand-in earlier this season and now joins the roster full-time as Monte prepares for a busy stretch of matches.
From Stand-In to Full-Time Member
Rainwaker’s journey with Monte began earlier this year when he stepped in for Gytis “ryu” Glušauskas during the BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 online event, a tournament where Monte sparked an upset victory over Natus Vincere with the Bulgarian in a tempo-setting role.
His leadership and consistent aggression caught the organization’s attention, prompting them to convert his temporary role into a permanent one..
The move also comes in the wake of ryu’s departure, who was acquired by Astralis in a roster reshuffle around the turn of the year.
Monte Current Lineup
With Rainwaker locked in as a full-time player, Monte’s roster now looks like this:
- Jack “Gizmy” von Spreckelsen
- Aurélien “afro” Drapier
- Oscar “AZUWU” Bell
- Aurimas “Bymas” Pipiras
- Aleks “Rainwaker” Petrov
- Alexander “kakafu” Szymanczyk (coach)
This blend of international talent gives Monte flexibility across roles and playstyles, from afro’s dynamic AWPing to Bymas’s explosive rifle presence. Rainwaker slots in as a key tempo and opening duel threat.
What This Means for Monte
Signing Rainwaker gives Monte much-needed stability and role clarity after a period of roster uncertainty. His aggressive rifling and comfort taking early space fit naturally into Monte’s system. This helps open rounds and eases pressure on the team’s other playmakers.
The move adds structure heading into a busy schedule, reducing reliance on individual carry performances and making Monte harder to predict in series play. With a full lineup locked in, Monte can now focus on consistency and translating recent momentum into stronger results at upcoming events.
