Team Yandex Signs TI Champion ATF as New Offlaner in Major Roster Shakeup

Team Yandex has made a significant move to strengthen its Dota 2 roster ahead of the 2026-2027 competitive season, officially announcing the signing of Ammar "ATF" Assaf as their new starting offlaner on September 17. The acquisition sees the organization replace Dmitry "DM" Dorokhin, who has been moved to the inactive roster, with the former Team Falcons star joining as a free agent following his former team's recent exit from competitive Dota 2.

A Champion's Pedigree

ATF brings championship-winning experience to Yandex, having lifted the Aegis at The International 2025 as part of Team Falcons. His tenure with Falcons established them as one of the most stable and successful rosters in Dota 2 history. The lineup played an unprecedented 799 official matches together as a five-man unit - the most of any roster in competitive Dota - with ATF contributing to 523 victories during that span. Their 65.46% win rate stands as the highest ever achieved by a consistent five-player lineup in the game's professional scene.

Forming a Champion Duo

The signing creates a formidable pairing of TI champions on Yandex's roster, with ATF now set to play alongside Martin "Saksa" Sazdov, who won The International 2022. This marks the second high-profile acquisition from the dissolved Falcons roster following Oliver "Skiter" Lepko's move to Aurora Gaming earlier this month. The combination of ATF's aggressive offlane presence and Saksa's strategic expertise gives Yandex one of the most experienced cores in professional Dota heading into the new season.

Yandex's Rapid Rise in Dota 2

Since entering the Dota 2 scene in June 2025, Yandex has quickly established itself as a powerhouse organization. The team captured three Tier 1 tournament victories during the 2025-2026 season while securing top-three finishes at six other premier events. Their performance at TI 2026 demonstrated their resilience, as they recovered from a slow group stage to reach the lower bracket finals before falling to eventual champions Team Spirit. This consistent high-level performance has cemented Yandex's status as one of Dota's elite organizations in just over a year of competition.

Immediate Competitive Challenge

The new-look Yandex roster faces its first test at PGL Wallachia Season 9, which begins on September 19 as the first Tier 1 tournament of the 2026-2027 season. The event will serve as an early indicator of how quickly ATF can integrate with his new teammates. The player himself confirmed his participation under the Yandex banner in statements to Russian esports media, expressing readiness for the challenge ahead. "I'm excited to join Yandex and prove ourselves at Wallachia," ATF was quoted as saying.

Strategic Implications for Yandex

This acquisition demonstrates Yandex's commitment to maintaining their position among Dota 2's elite teams. By signing ATF, they address their need for a proven, high-impact offlaner while capitalizing on the rare availability of a recent TI champion. The move also reflects the ongoing roster volatility across top teams during this transitional period between competitive seasons. With ATF's mechanical skill and championship experience complementing Saksa's strategic depth, Yandex appears well-positioned to challenge for multiple titles in the coming year while avoiding the roster instability that has affected other organizations.

The Broader Competitive Landscape

ATF's move to Yandex continues a trend of significant roster changes following The International 2026, as teams look to strengthen their lineups ahead of the new season. The signing represents one of the most impactful moves in the post-TI shuffle, with Yandex securing a player who was instrumental in creating Dota history with Team Falcons. As organizations prepare for the next competitive cycle, Yandex's aggressive roster move signals their intention to remain at the forefront of elite Dota 2 competition.