Eight-year-old Kazakhstani Adil Sovetov signed a contract with Aurora Gaming

Aurora Gaming, a competitive esports organization, has announced the signing of eight-year-old Kazakhstani player Adil ShaLun Sovetov, who has become the youngest player in the club's history and one of the youngest professional talents in Counter-Strike 2 worldwide.

Adil began playing Counter-Strike 2 at the age of 5.5 under the guidance of his father, and his gameplay skill attracted the attention of fans and experts. Despite being banned on the FACEIT platform until 2032 in early 2025 for violating age restrictions, the young gamer continued to develop and showcase impressive highlights, which were published on the social media channels of ESL and FACEIT.

In 2025, ShaLun already had the opportunity to perform on the stage of PGL Astana at the Barys Arena, where his gameplay sparked interest not only among fans but also among professional players.

The contract with Aurora Gaming is structured as an apprenticeship program. The organization will provide Adil with access to its resources, mentorship from experienced players, and support in developing educational, media, and disciplinary skills. Aurora emphasizes not only gaming development but also the formation of a comprehensive esports culture in this young talent.

Adalat Mamedov, CEO of Aurora Gaming
ShaLun is the best example of the fact that age does not matter in esports. We are giving him a team, mentors, and the right ecosystem. And then—who knows: perhaps he will soon become that very player from the highlights who lifts the Major trophy and blows up the internet.

Source: Aurora CS2