Cloud9 announces new Valorant roster with vanity return

North American esports organization Cloud9 has announced the signing of multiple new players to the Valorant roster including the return of the former in-game leader Anthony “vanity” Malaspina, it was announced today.

vanity is most known for his previous stint with the organization which ended earlier this year following the VCT LOCK//IN tournament. At the event, Cloud9 was defeated by Korean team DRX in the second round.

But vanity has returned to the team following a run with Shopify Rebellion in Challengers. He’ll rejoin former teammate Erick “Xeppaa” Bach alongside Jake Anderson, Maxim “wippie” Shepelev, and Francis “OXY” Hoang.

Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for takeoff ✈ pic.twitter.com/tyXG0owpSj

— Cloud9 VALORANT (@C9VAL) September 29, 2023

The team will compete next year in the VCT Americas league, which features the most recent world Champions Evil Geniuses alongside other teams such as NRG, LOUD, FURIA, 100 Thieves, Sentinels, and more.

Cloud9 change after an up-and-down season

Cloud9 had a rough start to the season at LOCK//IN but managed to perform in the regular split with a solid record.

Cloud9 finished the regular season with an 8-1 record, which was joint-highest in the league alongside LOUD. But Cloud9 failed to capitalize on the success of the regular split and was defeated in the playoffs by NRG in the second round of the lower bracket.

The fourth-place finish at the playoff stage ensured that Cloud9 was unable to attend VCT Masters Tokyo, which was the second international event of the year.

Although Cloud9 qualified for the Champions last chance qualifier, the team was unable to secure a spot at the largest event in the calendar, either. Cloud9 fumbled in third place and was thereby unable to qualify for Champions, also. But with the new roster, the team will look to replicate a successful regional split and perhaps attend some international tournaments.