Farewell to a Legend: Perkz Retires from Competitive League of Legends

League of Legends

5 Jun

Foo Zen-Wen

“I'm retiring at 26 years old. Sounds crazy, but that's esports.”

Luka “Perkz” Perković has announced his retirement from professional League of Legends effectively immediately. The Croatian player last played for The Ruddy Sack in the NLC, ending his final professional stint in March of this year.

Perkz Hangs Up The Mouse and Keyboard – For Good

“There is just no time allocation, and all the bad things that come with stress from competing, that I don’t want to manage anymore. I’ve always given it my all to the playing career, to the teams I’ve been a part of. I think many can attest to that. Sometimes my all wasn’t enough and sometimes my all was not in the right direction – but I gave it my all. Even when fans think I didn’t, I did, and I know that. So, to get it out of the way, Perkz is dead. He’s gone. He’s not coming back. He’s not a player anymore. It’s just Luka left now.”

Remarking on all the points of his career, Perkz was uniquely introspective on all the challenges he faced, which shaped him into the person he has become. Despite being only 26-years-old, Perkz has deemed now to be the time to call it.

“I’m very grateful for my career. I’m very grateful for all the successes, all the people I’ve met, all the failures that taught me lessons. I’m grateful to all of the organizations that had me. I’m grateful for the great time I had on G2, C9, and Vitality. I’m very grateful for you guys, for all the fans that supported me from the very beginning, or that supported me late. I’m grateful for the game, for the competition that has made me the person I am today.”

Ending his video, Perkz did mention that while he currently has no plans to return, he intends to return in ‘some sort of way or form’. ‘Perhaps lurking in the shadows,’ he suggests smiling. ‘But until then, I’m out.’

A Historic Career Bids Farewell

Perkz may be stepping away quietly, but his career has been anything but that for the majority of its length. First debuting on GSI Gaming, Perkz quickly caught eyes for his cocky playstyle, earning him repute as one of the most exciting rising talents in the Mid Lane at the time.

The Birth of a Dynasty

During the second wave of talent for Gamers2, Perkz was recruited to replace Carlos “ocelote” Rodríguez, who went on to become the founder, co-owner, and CEO of G2 Esports – cementing Perkz as one of the founding players for what would become the most dominant organization to ever compete in the LEC.

Perkz cemented his legacy as one of Europe's best Mid Laners on G2 Esports during the early years of the LEC. Credit: LoL Esports

Legacy Etched in LEC History

As part of G2 Esports' legendary five-man roster from 2018 to 2020, Perkz helped shape one of the most dominant teams Europe has ever seen. Under his leadership, G2 secured two Worlds Quarterfinals appearances and even reached the Grand Finals—an achievement unmatched by any LEC team since. Their crowning glory came in 2019 when G2 lifted the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) trophy, becoming the only non-Korean or Chinese team to win the tournament since its inception in 2015.

Perkz’s time with G2 was further marked in history for his transition to the Bot Lane, swapping seasonally with Rasmus “Caps” Borregaard Winther (G2’s Mid Laner) – demonstrating both players’ immense capabilities and adaptability, and cementing Perkz as one of Europe’s best Mid Laners and AD Carries at the time.

The Final Chapters

He remained with G2 for a total of 5 years, until the end of 2020, when he made the move over to Cloud9. With Cloud9, he secured 1st place in the LCS 2021 Spring Season and Mid-Season Showdown.

However, Perkz's time in North America was short-lived, as after just one year, he returned to Europe to play for Team Vitality.

Unfortunately, Perkz never returned to the heights of his skill following his departure from G2 and Cloud9 and the slow decline began. His stint with Vitality ended after a single year, after which he competed with Team Heretics for a single split between December 2023 and March 2024. Perkz announced he would be taking a break from competing following his run with the Heretics, returning briefly in January 2025 to compete on The Ruddy Sack as their Top Laner (in yet another role swap) for a single split.

Farewell to a Legend

Perkz’s retirement marks the end of an era for European League of Legends. His accomplishments helped the LEC cement its reputation during its early years as a powerhouse region and his name will forever be etched in the history books as one of its fiercest competitors. Farewell Uma Jan.

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Featured Image Credit: LoL Esports

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