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Rookie parts ways with Top Esports ahead of 2024 LPL Spring Season
After a year playing under the Chinese organization, Top Esports’ banner, Song “Rookie” Eei-jin has parted ways with them. The 26-year-old Mid Laner had a moderately successful 2023 season with the roster, however, they were unable to cap the year with the minimum of an international performance.
Rebuild on the Horizon?
Top Esports (TES) may be on the cusp of a rebuild with the departure of Rookie. This marks the second Mid Laner to leave the organization in two years. Their previous Mid Laner, Zhuo “knight” Ding, was a long-standing member of the organization from 2018 until 2022. He departed after half a decade to join the super-team JD Gaming.
Despite their storied history as a competitive League of Legends roster, TES has not seen the same level of success for a number of years now, and has slowly been declining in relevance. Their last attendance at Worlds ended with their exit in 9th-10th place at Worlds 2022. Their last successful international appearance was in 2020, reaching the Semifinals (and losing to Suning).
While they have had some level of success domestically, it is undeniable that it has been a while since TES was a name feared internationally. This is added to the fact that now three more of their long-standing players’ contracts have also expired - Top Laner Huang “Wayward” Ren-Xing, Jungler Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang, and Support Ling “Mark” Xu. The only currently secured talent is AD Carry star Yu “JackeyLove” Wen-Bo.
Mark only joined TES in 2022. However, both Wayward and Tian have been members since 2021, making their potential departure more of a pain point.
Star Player on the Loose
Rookie is considered one of the best League of Legends players of all time. His debut saw him nicknamed ‘Faker Junior’ due to his massive champion pool and awe-inspiring mechanics. Moreover, Rookie is the winner of a Worlds title in 2018, the proud displayer of 4 LPL MVP titles, and has been voted onto a combined 6 LPL All-Pro Teams.
Conclusion
It is currently unknown where Rookie will end up. However, with news that knight has now left JDG, perhaps Rookie will once more follow in the former footsteps and replace the star. His departure from TES is not particularly shocking. But it does open up many interesting opportunities and conversations for the many LPL teams still shopping in the off-season.
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Credit: LoL Esports // Riot Games
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