North American esports organization Cloud9 is targeting Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro to step in for sick player Maikil “Golden” Kunda Selim for the IEM Katowice Major, according to multiple sources close to the players and team. Cloud9 currently holds a spot in the New Challengers stage but would lose that spot because they would not have the required “three core players” without Golden participating in the event. In theory, the only way Cloud9 could field Zellsis is by applying the emergency trade ruling that appears in the IEM Katowice rulebook.

Zellsis was a member of Swole Patrol for the entirety of 2018, helping them win ESEA Season 29 and gaining a promotion into ESL Pro League Season 9. Since qualifying for Pro League, the roster has seen significant change after losing both Austin “Cooper-” Abadir and possibly Ryan “freakazoid” Abadir. Should Zellsis join Cloud9, it would be another heavy blow to the Swole Patrol roster.

Cloud9 was reported to have been in discussions with Gage “Infinite” Green as recent as yesterday, but VPEsports can confirm they have since backed off of those discussions following community backlash regarding his behavior on previous teams. Multiple sources have confirmed that should a player fill in for Golden, it would be on an event by event basis while Golden recovers . They must make a decision by January 1st, which is the official roster lock for the Katowice Major.

*Title Photo Courtesy of Epicenter