CS2: Aurora Gaming Makes Headlines by Signing 8-Year-Old Player ShaLun

Aurora Gaming took an unusual step when they welcomed eight-year-old Adil “ShaLun” Sovetov into the Counter-Strike 2 training program. At such an age, ShaLun became one of the youngest esports players who is officially attached to a professional organisation, which already raises many discussions about how early a person should begin a career in games.

ShaLun first began to play Counter-Strike when he was about five and a half years old, and his father was guiding him. Quickly, he starts to show skill, mechanics, and awareness, something rare for a child. Match highlights of him were later shared on ESL and FACEIT channels, and that gave him sudden attention from the larger community before he even thought about being a professional.

Aurora Gaming Signs 8-Year-Old ShaLun to CS2 Program

Aurora’s decision to sign him is not to look for instant success but rather in the long term. Inside the program, ShaLun is going to get:

• Mentorship with the Counter-Strike 2 professional roster of Aurora
• Routine and structured practice
• Training in media handling, discipline, and communication
  Aurora CEO Adalyat Mamedov said:
  “ShaLun show age does not limit what esports can be. If we provide the team, proper guidance and the right environment, then maybe he will reach the top level in future.”

ShaLun is not the first so young to be signed. In 2020, Team 33 signed eight-year-old Joseph “Gosu” Deen for the Fortnite roster. This already shows that organisations are more willing to raise talent from a very early stage.
For esports teams, signing such young players means shaping the skill, the discipline, and professional habits over a long period. It can also make careers last longer, if the player do not burn out too soon.

This signing again brings debate about whether age matters too much in esports. Young players sometimes bring faster reflexes, adaptability, and a fresh perspective. For instance, 16-year-old Liam “MaiL09” Tügel climbs the FACEIT leaderboards and could become the youngest champion soon.
They prove that experience and leadership are not less important than pure reflex, which is also reflected in how CS2 Ranks measure consistency, skill, and long-term growth beyond raw speed.

However, bringing children into a professional environment is not free of problems. Questions about education versus training, about physical and mental health, and even how to handle a contract for a minor, are all important. If not carefully handled, too much pressure can harm rather than help.
But if there is balance and careful management, programs like Aurora’s may create a new path for future esports talent, giving both support and safety for very young players.

Adil “ShaLun” Sovetov joining Aurora Gaming’s CS2 training program is an important milestone. With mentorship, structured training, and the right atmosphere, he could have the chance to become a serious competitor one day. Still, how his education and well-being are protected will decide if his journey is a positive example for the future.