The Brazilian organization Imperial have officially announced the signing of 21-year-old AWPer Guilherme “levi” Gustavo. The young sniper joins the lineup after being benched by 9z Team late last year and will replace Santino “try” Rigal, who recently transferred to Passion UA. The move marks another step in Imperial’s ongoing rebuild following a disappointing start to the 2026 season. Earlier, the organization also benched Felipe “skullz” Medeiros, effectively initiating a deeper roster overhaul.
Replacing try and setting a new direction
After try’s departure, Imperial were not just looking for an AWPer — they needed a profile combining mechanical upside with long-term potential. The organization has clearly chosen to invest in youth, and levi fits that philosophy perfectly.
In their announcement, Imperial described him as a “young AWP prodigy with a giant future ahead,” highlighting his focus and ambition. This signals that the signing is part of a strategic reset rather than a short-term fix.
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Levi’s path: From academy scene to international exposure
levi first gained attention during his time with Sharks Youngsters and ex-W7M, but his real breakthrough came after joining 9z in mid-2025. During his stint with the Argentine organization, he showcased impressive peaks:
- 1.22 rating at ECL Season 50 SA Cup 4
- 1.42 rating at CCT SA Series 6
Those performances earned him a #44 spot in HLTV Prospects Season 2. However, consistency remained an issue, as he averaged a 1.04 rating throughout his tenure with 9z.
Community reaction: Support, belief, and a bit of banter
The announcement sparked immediate reactions across social media, with the overall tone being largely positive. Brazilian fans and supporters of 9z expressed strong backing for the young AWPer:
- “Great pickup”
- “Bom movimento.”
- “Bora Levi!!!”
- “Escolha acertada da imp”
Members of the Spanish-speaking community noted they would continue cheering for him — “just not when he plays against us.” There was also some typical scene banter, including jokes about “tier 200” and playful requests not to “shoot at 9z.” Overall, the sentiment is clear: the community believes in levi’s potential and sees this as an exciting opportunity for growth.
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What’s next for Imperial?
Imperial’s current lineup now features:
- Marcelo “chelo” Cespedes
- Kaiky “noway” Santos
- Vinicius “VINI” Figueiredo
- Guilherme “levi” Gustavo
- Rafael “zakk” Fernandes (coach)
One roster slot remains open following skullz’s benching. According to Dust2.br, Lucas “decenty” Bacelar is close to returning to the organization. Imperial are making a calculated gamble by investing in potential. If levi can turn his high peaks into consistent performances against top-tier opposition, this rebuild could mark the beginning of a new chapter for the organization. If not, the transition period may extend further. Either way, levi now stands at the center of Imperial’s new era.
