One of Dota 2’s Western superstars will be joining a Chinese team for the first time in his career.
In a somewhat unusual arrangement in the Western pro scene, Sumail “SumaiL” Hassan is officially loaned to Team Aster, announced yesterday by the organization.
“SumaiL’s exciting performance at the Berlin Major was clear for all to see. After internal discussions within the org, as well as further conversations with Nigma Galaxy and SumaiL, we’ve confirmed that he will be loaned to Aster until this year’s The International,” Aster wrote in their announcement, as translated by ONE Esports.
Aster also confirmed that negotiations are in process regarding the superstar joining on a permanent basis after the end of the season.
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SumaiL is Team Aster’s new midlaner — at least until TI12
In an unexpected turn of events, Team Aster opted to bring in SumaiL for the recently-concluded Berlin Major. The Chinese squad was initially apprehensive at bringing in a player who could not speak Chinese, but the 24-year-old impressed with his performances in the midlane.
Aster was one win away from securing an upper bracket berth. Starting their playoff run in the lower bracket, they won against Team Spirit before running into eventual finalists Team Liquid, leaving the tournament tied-seventh.
This year’s TI marks the 12th edition of the premier tournament, and will return to Seattle in October.
Since SumaiL’s first TI in 2015, where he became the youngest-ever winner of the tournament at just 16 years old, he’s only missed the tournament once — last year, while playing for Nigma Galaxy. Meanwhile, Aster achieved fourth place at the same event.
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