HLTV.org's Editor in Chief Luís "MIRAA" Mira casts his eye on the five biggest transfer stories the year of 2009 brought along.

Last year was no stranger to player transfers in the world of Counter-Strike. But from all the changes that were made, not all were successful, and from those who were, some were more than others.

Part two of the article will focus on the five biggest changes of the year of 2009, those which totally changed a team's fortunes and in the way CS was shaped that year. Which teams were right on the spot in the changes they ordered? Find out below.

5. Johan "face" Klasson

To: SK Gaming
From: H2k Gaming

Like it has happened in the past on so many occasions, roster changes at SK Gaming mean trouble for other teams, who see themselves unable to hold on to their prized assets. And that was exactly the case here. After enduring a dry spell trophy-wise, SK set their eyes on H2k duo Johan "face" Klasson and Frej "kHRYSTAL" Sjöström.

However, unlike his former Lemondogs colleague, who is no longer on the team, Klasson has enjoyed success at SK Gaming, having become a core member of the line-up. After being touted as one of the best CS things to come out in Sweden prior to him joining NiP, Klasson seems to be finally enjoying the success he has long been looking for.

4. Rasmus "Gux" Ståhl

To: fnatic
From: Blank

The addition of Ståhl to fnatic's squad raised suspicions, much because he had almost no experience at international level, and joining one of the most successful team of 2008 looked like an enormous jump for him. Also because losing Oscar "Archi" Torgersen, a longtime member of the team, was a move many thought that would hurt fnatic.

But the former EYEballers member, who made headlines for the first time when he played for SK as a stand-in at a WCG pre-qualifier in 2007, has made his name heard. Ståhl became such an important part of fnatic that the team barely felt the impact of the change, and the Swedish giants are now still trying to get back on their feet after losing him at the end of 2009.

3. Abdisamad "SpawN" Mohamed

To: H2k Gaming
From: Free agent

Few players have been able to keep a large fanbase while inactive like Mohamed did after stepping down as an SK player. Whenever a Swedish team lost a player during that time, fans kept calling on Mohamed to join up, which goes to show just how popular he was among the Counter-Strike community.

Although Mohamed's move to H2k did little to improve the team's fortunes, the fact that he returned became one of the most talked about changes of the year, and indeed one that revitalized the scene in 2009.

2. Christopher "GeT_RiGhT" Alesund

To: fnatic
From: Giants

After failing to make his mark at SK Gaming, where he was released after being relegated to the periphery, some feared that Christopher "GeT_RiGhT" Alesund would never make a move to one of the big teams in the country. But the opportunity finally came knocking in January 2009 and Alesund has been able to deliver.

The former Giants talent has confirmed his madfragging tag, to the point that he has topped many event statistics and won several accolades, including the one for eSports Player of the Year. Alesund is nowadays one of the most popular players in the world, and his move to fnatic provided him with just the opportunity to shine and unveil what he had not been able to demonstrate at SK.

1. Tomi "lurppis" Kovanen

To: Evil Geniuses
From: Free agent

Returning to the top of the international scene seemed like an uphill task for American teams, but the arrival of Tomi "lurppis" Kovanen at Evil Geniuses was undoubtedly a turning point for the former compLexity squad. Kovanen, who had quit CS just days prior to the move, saw in EG the opportunity to be at the top again, and he has brought his much-needed tactical knowledge and leadership to the fare.

From minnows to serious contenders at every international event, that is what Kovanen's success story is about. EG have become a force to be reckoned with, and winning GameGune in Mexico may just be an appetizer for what is to come in 2010 as their chances may never be written off again.

These five entrances make our top 10 transfers of 2009 as follows:

1. Tomi "lurppis" Kovanen
2. Christopher "GeT_RiGhT" Alesund
3. Abdisamad "SpawN" Mohamed
4. Rasmus "Gux" Ståhl
5. Johan "face" Klasson
6. Guillaume "Geno" Ntep
7. Carlos "xhiroz" Puente
8. Jakub "kuben" Gurczy?ski
9. Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo
10. Lincoln "fnx" Lau

What about you? Who do you think that were the five best player transfers of 2009? Leave a comment below to make your voice heard.