Maden joins BIG Academy as in-game leader

BIG has announced the signing of Pavle “⁠Maden⁠” Bošković, but for their academy team, as the 27-year-old has decided to make a shift in his career and take the mantle of in-game leadership — something he had hinted at in May.

The Montenegrin was last under contract in March, when he was benched in fnatic before becoming a free agent the following month and briefly joining the illwill mix-team before the summer break.

Maden announces free agency

BIG Academy have now consolidated the team’s leadership after bringing on former Young Ninjas coach Daniel “⁠sprayxd⁠” Kogan in place of Timo “⁠Spiidi⁠” Richter, who decided “to focus on his academic path.”

“The last period of my career hasn’t gone the way I wanted, so I’ve decided to take a new path,” Maden said of the move. “Leading a team is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I can’t think of a better place to start than BIG. I’m looking forward to reinvent myself in the server and building something from the ground up with a young, hungry roster and helping the next generation of talent grow.”

BIG‘s Chief Gaming Officer, Roman “⁠Roman R.⁠” Reinhardt, also made a statement regarding the acquisition of the former ENCE and Falcons player.

“For Maden, this is a clear choice about where he wants to go in his career,” he said. “He has the quality and the opportunities to keep playing at Tier 1 in another role, but he wants to become an IGL. He has chosen our academy to help young players improve, build a team and show what he can do as a captain.

“We believe he has what it takes. He brings years of experience at the highest level and the personal qualities you need to lead a team. In our conversations, you could really feel how much he wants this challenge.

“It is a great opportunity for both sides. Our boys can learn from him every day, and he gets our trust and support to grow into this role and show his potential. I am looking forward to working with him and seeing what we can build together.”

Maden will lead two teenagers, 16-year-old Nikolas “⁠Hrdina⁠” Hutira and 19-year-old Anton “⁠doni⁠” Savienkov, as well as 20-year-old Asim “⁠aZe⁠” Khodzhaev and the more experienced David “⁠prosus⁠” Hesse, who has been promoted and demoted from BIG‘s main team twice since 2023.

BIG Academy is now: