​ After ​a brief pursuit , German Counter-Strike organization Berlin International Gaming (BIG) has signed British rifler Owen “smooya” Butterfield, according to multiple sources. A formal announcement is expected next week.





BIG finished third in the regular season of ESEA Mountain Dew League and is using former player Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninic as a stand-in during the playoffs. BIG and Windigo will play the relegation matches for a chance to earn their way into the ESL Pro League. Once the season is over, it is expected smooya will take over in the active lineup.





Since being purchased from Team Endpoint last year, smooya has played off and on for Epsilon in multiple lineups. Since the start of the year, they played in numerous online tournaments but failed to make legitimate progress as a team. It is unclear at this time who will replace smooya on the active lineup.





Niels "luckeRRR" Jasiek, who ​joined BIG on trial in February, announced last week ​he was leaving the organization. Smooya will fill that spot in the starting lineup.





BIG did not initially respond to requests for comment.