Breaking: steel returns to competition with SportsBetExpert

SportsBetExpert has informed Dust2.us that the organization has signed Josh "steel" Nissan, seeing the Canadian IGL and broadcast talent return to activity after last playing for Undone in late 2024. Alongside steel, SportsBetExpert have also signed 20-year-old Portuguese rifler Samuel "sml" Oliveira, with the rookie import set to take Evan "Evan" Cawthorn's place on the starting lineup.

The changes in SportsBetExpert's ranks follows the departure of Ethan "⁠reck⁠" Serrano to Wildcard at the start of the year, leaving the roster a man down heading into the 2026 season.

steel's sudden return to activity comes after he elected to step back from competition in early 2025 to focus on broadcast work, going on to work at a number of ESL events throughout the year. steel's return will see him take over as SportsBetExpert's IGL, taking over a role that was previously shared by reck and Adam "freshie" Paterson.

steel's return comes nearly a year after the former iBUYPOWER player was unbanned by Valve, allowing him to compete in and work at Valve Majors. As such, steel is likely hoping to make a longshot run to return to the Majors twelve years after last playing for iBUYPOWER in ESL One Cologne 2014.

While it is effectively impossible for SportsBetExpert to acquire enough Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points to make IEM Cologne 2026, the team could in theory qualify to PGL Major Singapore 2026 should they hit the ground running in upcoming events.

The other incoming player is sml, a complete rookie who only boasts five maps on HLTV while playing for Agency in the Portuguese scene. According to SportsBetExpert's CEO Peter Anadio, sml recently moved to North America, with Anadio describing him as a "diamond in the rough." He will be replacing long-time SportsBetExpert member Evan on the lineup, marking the end of his seven-month stint on the roster.

With steel and sml, SportsBetExpert are now:

• Alperen "TR0JN" Kilic

• Adam "freshie" Paterson

• Bogdan "ogwizard" Savula

• Josh "steel" Nissan

• Samuel "sml" Oliveira

• Evan "Evan" Cawthorn (Inactive)

SportsBetExpert currently have a 2-0 record in ESEA Advanced Season 56 and will be playing their next game against Redacted Society on January 19th.