View source for News/Astralis Signs "HooXi"

{{News
|seo_title=Astralis Signs "HooXi"
|seo_keywords=Astralis
|image=Astralis.jpg
|tags=Astralis
|date=2025-06-20T13:45:19.000Z
|sources={{NewsSource
|source=Hltv
|url=https://www.hltv.org/news/41994/astralis-announce-hooxi-signing
|article=News/Astralis Signs &#34;HooXi&#34;
}}
|author=Andura
|category=Transfer Market
|content=Astralis have officially completed the signing of Rasmus "⁠HooXi⁠" Nielsen on a free transfer, the Danish organization announced Wednesday. The 30-year-old joins the roster just a month after helping the team reach their first LAN final since 2019.

HooXi had been brought in as a stand-in for the PGL Major Copenhagen qualifier substitute tournament in Astana, replacing Casper "⁠cadiaN⁠" Møller, who was benched following [[Companies/Astralis|Astralis]]’ failure to qualify for the upcoming Austin Major. Despite the roster shake-up, Astralis exceeded expectations at PGL Astana, defeating teams such as ODDIK, paiN, Virtus.pro, Natus Vincere, and Aurora before falling 3-1 in the grand final against Team Spirit.

“I’m both happy and proud to finally call myself IGL for Astralis and to be back in the game with both new and familiar faces,” HooXi said in a statement. “Playing for Astralis has been a long-time dream of mine—the brand and the organization’s results speak for themselves, and it also feels truly special to once again play on an all-Danish team.

“It will take time and a lot of hard work, but I both hope and believe we can continue what we started in Astana and give back to the many fans who have already shown us incredible support.”

HooXi became a free agent earlier this year after being released from G2 Esports, where he had spent six months on the bench. During his time with the international squad, he led them to three titles, including IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne, both in 2023.

In Astralis, HooXi reunites with former Copenhagen Flames teammate Jakob "⁠jabbi⁠" Nygaard. The duo previously played a key role in the Flames’ underdog run to the quarter-finals of the PGL Antwerp Major in 2022.

The announcement comes at a turbulent time for Astralis, as the organization is reportedly exploring a potential sale. On Tuesday, esports journalist Richard Lewis reported that financial filings show the company may struggle to continue operations without external funding, a merger, or acquisition. “Significant doubts may be raised about the company's ability to continue operations,” Lewis wrote, citing the financial documents.

'''More:'''[[News/Astralis Partners with STARK|Astralis Partners with STARK]]
}}