With the NA LCS set to begin this week, former INTZ coach Alexander "Abaxial" Haibel has joined Team SoloMid as an assistant coach to bolster their coaching staff.

Abaxial left INTZ in October, following the Brazilian team's elimination from the 2016 World Championship. Abaxial originally joined INTZ in March 2015, subsequently guiding them to victory in four CBLoL championships and qualifying for Worlds 2016. At the time, Abaxial said that he was looking to work in the NA LCS in 2017.

"I have particular interest in working in the NA LCS next year, but will consider offers from Brazil, EU, Asia and other regions," Abaxial said. "I want to be the best coach, the best leader, the best person that I can possibly be. To follow that ambition I need to consider all options available now that my contract with INTZ has reached its conclusion."

Preston Dozsa is a news editor for theScore esports whose journalism idol is Dino Ghiranze. You can follow him on Twitter.