Josedeodo leaves FlyQuest to join LLA's Estral Esports

Estral Esports of the Liga Latinoamérica (LLA) has signed Argentinian "League of Legends" jungler Brandon Joel "Josedeodo" Villegas for 2023, as originally reported by The Game Haus reporter Sander "LCS Eevee" Hove on Nov. 22.

https://twitter.com/EstralEsports/status/1596262456808071173

The 22-year-old began his professional career with the LLA's Furious Gaming in 2017 before joining the LLA's Rainbow7, now known as Movistar R7, for the 2020 season. The team went to Worlds 2020 and was eliminated in the Play-In Stage, but Josedeodo's play caught the eyes of many international fans, and in November 2020 he joined FlyQuest of the League Championship Series (LCS). Josedeodo played for FlyQuest for two years and failed to finish above 5th in any regular season or tournament; he now returns to a region that considers him one of its all-time greatest players.

According to a tweet by Brieuc "LEC Wooloo" Seeger, FlyQuest has reportedly replaced Josedeodo with Chinese jungler Mingyi "Spica" Lu, who won the 2021 LCS Summer MVP award during a two-and-a-half-year stint with TSM. In an amusing game of musical chairs, a report by BLIX.gg reporter Alejandro "anonimotum" Gomis and independent journalist Lucas Benaim indicates Spica has reportedly been replaced on TSM by Korean jungler Lee "Bugi" Seong-yeop, who Josedeodo is himself replacing on Estral Esports.

How this affects Estral Esports — and FlyQuest

Estral Esports finished first in the LLA 2022 Closing Regular Season and were runners-up in the last two LLA regional finals against their rival, Team Aze. According to a Nov. 24 tweet by LEC Wooloo reporting Josedeodo's move, he'll be joined by Chilean midlaner Ji "Takeover" Cha Hyeun-min, formerly of TSM, and Korean botlaner Lee "SamD" Jae-hoon, formerly of the LCK's Hanwha Life Esports. It's unknown if Argentinian toplaner Emmanuel "Acce" Juárez and Argentinian support Facundo "Shadow" Cuello will remain with the team after.

From what journalists are saying, FlyQuest appears to be spending big this offseason. LEC Wooloo reports Korean toplaner Jeong "Impact" Eon-young and Australian support Bill "Eyla" Nguyen will move from the LCS's Team Liquid and Team Liquid Academy to replace Canadian toplaner Philip "Philip" Zeng and American support Zaqueri "aphromoo" Black; Travis Gafford reports Korean midlaner Lee "VicLa" Dae-kwang will replace French midlaner Loïc "toucouille" Dubois; and LCS Eevee reports Korean botlaner Lee "Prince" Chae-hwan will replace Canadian botlaner Johnson "Johnsun" Nguyen.

FlyQuest also hired Christopher "PapaSmithy" Smith as general manager on Nov. 10, and Belarusian head coach Alexey "Sharkz" Taranda appears to be staying with the team.

Photo by Tina Jo via ESPAT/Riot Games.