Cloud9 is making some drastic changes to its LCS roster, according to ESPN.Â
The League of Legends offseason is slowly starting despite the 2020 World Championship still continuing on. The official transfer period won’t begin until the middle of November, but teams are already starting to make the first moves. According to ESPN, Cloud9 will be promoting Academy top laner Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami to the main roster, while Eric “Licorice” Ritchie will be available for a buyout in the upcoming free agency period.
Some changes are coming to @Cloud9, with the team planning to promote @Fudgecakey to its starting lineup and @C9_Reignover to head coach. https://t.co/H2REsG6HOW
— ESPN Esports (@ESPN_Esports) October 19, 2020
Cloud9 moving Fudge to a starting position comes after the Oceanic Pro Leagues was closed. After Riot shut down the OPL, they removed the import rule for Oceanic players, which is turning out handy for the Australian top lane talent. C9’s two import slots will still be occupied by bot laner Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen and mid laner Yasin “Nisqy” Dinçer.
Furthermore, former professional jungler Kim “Reignover” Yeu-jin will be the new head coach for C9, after having been the head coach of the C9 Academy team for the past year. He will replace the team’s former coach of four years, Bok “Reapered” Han-gyu, who has been a key figure for C9. Reapered was released from the team back in September after the squad failed to qualify for the 2020 World Championship.Â
Reapered has accomplished a lot with C9, so Reignover will have some big shoes to fill. He has already proven himself as a coach though, winning the 2020 NA Academy Summer Split trophy. Â
Licorice has proven himself as one of the best top laners in the LCS after replacing former world champion Jung “Impact” Eon-yeong, who moved to Team Liquid. Licorice has been a big part of C9’s success on the international stage and also in its recent 2020 LCS Spring Split victory.Â
Having Licorice on the market as a free agent will probably mean that other LCS organizations are ready to open their wallets and place a bid for the experienced top laner. It’s unknown how expensive Licorice will be, but it seems likely that at least one LCS team would be willing to pay for his services.Â
The rumored move is still not officially confirmed by C9.
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