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Yagao returns to JD Gaming to compete for 2024 LPL season
JD Gaming (JDG) has officially confirmed the return of Mid Laner Zeng “Yagao” Qi after one year away from the organization. His move from BLG reunites him with Jungler Seo “Kanavi” Jin-hyeok, with whom the pair competed together since 2019.
JDG also announced the promotion of Xu “sheer” Wen-Jie to the main roster. The confusion behind the second move is also notable, considering they announced the pickup of Li “Flandre” Xuan-Jun just over 24 hours ago.
JD Gaming 2024 LPL Starting Lineup:
- Top Lane: Li “Flandre” Xuan-Jun
- Top Lane: Xu “sheer” Wen-Jie
- Jungle: Seo “Kanavi” Jin-hyeok
- Mid: Zeng “Yagao” Qi
- AD Carry: Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk
- Support: Lou “MISSING” Yun-Feng *(Likely but unconfirmed)
Returning Home
Yagao’s return to JDG is a warm welcome home to a player who spent the majority of his career and half a decade with. JDG is where Yagao originally gained noteriety and is where he built his career.
Despite a strong year with Bilibili Gaming (BLG) in 2023, Yagao has decided to return to the organization he dedicated so much of his time to. His return to JDG also marks a separation from the ‘Super-team’ of 2023.
While still a formidable Mid Laner, compared to Zhuo “knight” Ding, he is far less specifically notable for his mechanics.
A New Top Laner… Again?
A day after confirming LPL veteran Li “Flandre” Xuan-Jun as their new Top Laner from EDG, JDG has made the move to promote another player to the Top Lane, incoming young talent Xu “sheer” Wen-Jie. This will be sheer’s first official foray into competitive esports, with no prior teams listed.
While unexpected, this move is not without some prior precedent. Firstly, other teams such as Royal Never Give up have done so, having prepared a secondary player in a specific role (Uzi and Able).
It is possible that given Flandre’s experience, JDG are hoping to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between the two, with one learning from the other, while the other leaning on the youth of the first.
Conclusion
The return of Yagao is the main headline of the day for JDG. His re-signing with JDG marks a return to a time of greater stability in the Mid lane, albeit with less sensational on-stage presence.
The final piece missing now for JDG is their Support. MISSING has been contractually extended to 2024, however, JDG have yet to officially confirm whether or not he will remain (to our knowledge).
Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
Read More:
Kanavi and Ruler re-sign with JD Gaming ahead of 2024 LPL season.
