The 25-year-old becomes the third player confirmed for GE’s roster, joining Benedict “Benkai” Tan and Abhirup “Lightningfast” Choudhury.
INDIA – Global Esports have completed the signing of former Guild Esports player Russel “Russ” Mendes on a free transfer. “It’s good to be back in India, guys. It’s time to fight,” the 25-year-old expressed in his introduction video.
A regular staple among the tier two circuit of EMEA, Russ links up with Global Esports after plying his trade for the non-backed Les Petits Bouffons team. His tenure as an in-game leader just came to an end recently when LPB finished fourth in Split 1 and third in Split 2 of the competition this season.
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Nevertheless, Russ is most recognized for his stints with TENSTAR in 2021 and Guild Esports in 2022, playing a role in assisting Guild Esports to secure third place in the 2022 VCT EMEA Stage 2 Challengers, which led to their ticket to VALORANT Masters Copenhagen.
Global Esports will be hoping that bringing the Initiator player on board will boost the team’s performance, elevating them from their eighth-place position in the inaugural season of the VCT Pacific League. Although Russ has been competing in the United Kingdom since the start of his Counter-Strike career, he will be recognized as a Pacific League resident due to his Indian citizenship.
Global Esports now have the following roster:
- 🇸🇬 Benedict “Benkai” Tan
- 🇮🇳 Abhirup “Lightningfast” Choudhury
- 🇬🇧 Russel “Russ” Mendes
- 🇮🇳 Ganesh “SkRossi” Gangadhar (Inactive)
- 🇬🇧 Peter “Spin” Bradford (Coach)
- 🇬🇧 Morgan “BigTime” Jay (Assistant coach)
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Cover photo courtesy of Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
