Former OG players Yuragi and Ari join NAVI

Yuragi returns to NAVI following a brief stint with the team in 2024 while Ari has been loaned to the organisation by OG.

Iconic Eastern European organisation Natus Vincere (NAVI) has made significant changes to its Dota 2 roster. The storied organisation will now field former OG players Artem “Yuragi” Golubiev and Matthew “Ari” Walker, replacing Indji “Shad” Lub and Vitaliy “QBFY” Ivanov, respectively. While Shad has been placed on the team's inactive roster, QBFY departs the squad.

NAVI’s updated Dota 2 roster now features:

1. Artem “Yuragi” Golubiev
2. Sukhbat “Sanctity-” Otgondavaa
3. Miroslav “BOOM” Bičan
4. Matthew “Ari” Walker
5. Oleh “Kaori” Medvedok
6. Milan “MiLAN” Kozomara (coach)

Yuragi returns to NAVI with Ari in tow

Although this will be Ari’s first time with the black-and-yellow organisation, the case is different for Yuragi. Yuragi initially joined NAVI in March 2024, but his eight months with the team produced underwhelming results, with the squad's best achievement being a Top 4 finish in PGL Wallachia Season 2. Shortly after, in October 2024, Yuragi and the entire roster were placed on the inactive bench as the team headed for a rebuild.

Yuragi’s return to NAVI’s roster this season will also be accompanied by the arrival of British position 4 player, Ari, who joins the team on loan from OG. 

The 22-year-old began his professional Dota 2 career just three years ago but quickly made a name for himself, earning a spot with TSM for the 2023 season. But his most notable stint came afterward, where he spent a year with OG. However, his time there yielded inconsistent results, with occasional strong showings in tournaments but also significant struggles, leading to Ari’s departure from the active roster January this year.  After two months on OG’s bench, Ari officially starts on his next venture, joining NAVI.

“Grateful for my time in OG and everything I have learnt from it, now excited to be starting a new chapter with some familiar faces in Navi,” Ari posted. 

A new era for NAVI?

NAVI may be a legendary name in the scene, but the team has struggled to live up to its former glory for years. The International (TI) 2011-winning organisation has undergone continuous roster shuffles throughout seasons as they struggle to find success. 

However, the addition of Yuragi and Ari could prove to be a turning point for the team. The two new arrivals are likely to have great chemistry, having briefly played together under OG in early 2024. The new NAVI roster will be preparing for their first challenge, the DreamLeague Season 26 Eastern Europe qualifiers, set to begin on 1 April.

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