Abdul “degster” Gasanov has officially entered free agency. The Russian AWPer confirmed that Falcons terminated his contract, making him available to consider offers from other teams. This decision ends a difficult and often uncertain chapter of his career with the Saudi organization. degster shared the announcement on X, stressing that his motivation remains intact despite spending months outside the starting lineup. He made it clear that he is ready to return to top-level competition.
A year with Falcons: ambition meets reality
Today, I officially announce that I am becoming a free agent and ready to consider offers from other teams. My contract with the Falcons has been terminated and I can confidently say that I have a tireless desire to work to achieve success with a new team and organization!
— Abdul Gasanov (@degsterof) December 17, 2025
degster joined Falcons in January 2025 during a major roster overhaul. The organization also signed Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski and René “TeSeS” Madsen, forming the core of the former HEROIC lineup. Falcons aimed for a fast rise to tier-one events, stable Valve Regional Standings points, and a long-term project built around experienced players.
However, results never fully matched expectations. Falcons struggled to find consistency, and the roster often looked unstable at key events. degster showed flashes of his usual impact but failed to maintain peak form over time.
During his stint with Falcons, he averaged a 1.02 rating. For an AWPer known for clutch performances and playoff impact, that number felt underwhelming across a full season.
The Bucharest breakthrough: MVP and first major trophy
Despite the instability, degster’s time with Falcons included a clear career highlight. At PGL Bucharest, he delivered the strongest performance of his career. He led Falcons throughout the tournament and played a decisive role in the playoffs.
His confident AWPing, sharp opening picks, and late-round composure earned him the MVP award. The victory also secured his first significant trophy at the top level. At the time, many saw the Bucharest win as the beginning of Falcons’ rise. Instead, it marked a turning point in a different direction.
m0NESY arrives, degster moves to the bench
Shortly after the Bucharest triumph, Falcons completed one of the biggest transfers of the year. The organization signed Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov, instantly changing the team’s structure. With one AWP slot available, Falcons made a decisive call. They benched degster to make room for the incoming superstar. From that moment, his role in the project effectively ended.
degster spent the following months without tier-one match practice. His only HLTV-recorded appearance came in July. He played for the mix team MAJOR WINNERS in the ESL Pro League Season 22 open qualifier. The team lost their only match and exited the event immediately.
Community reaction and transfer speculation
The free agency announcement triggered strong reactions across the scene. Players, coaches, and organizations publicly wished degster luck. Among those responding were kyxsan, Pawel Dycha, will7, and several official esports accounts.
degster actively replied to messages himself. Some responses were light-hearted, including the phrase “don’t ask me where,” which quickly fueled speculation about his next destination. Despite a long period on the bench, the perception around degster remains positive. He is still viewed as a proven tier-one AWPer with MVP experience and the ability to deliver under pressure.
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What comes next for degster?
degster now enters the market at a time when experienced AWPers are in short supply. Many teams are preparing roster changes ahead of the new season, and few free agents offer comparable experience.
His background at tier-one events, playoff composure, and clear hunger to compete make him an attractive option. For teams looking for immediate impact, degster represents a low-risk, high-upside signing. After a complicated year with Falcons, degster has a chance to reset his career. This time, he does so without the label of a benched player — and with a clear message: he is ready to compete for trophies again.
