Jojopyun Reportedly Set for Historic Move to MAD Lions KOI in LEC

Canadian mid-laner Joseph Joon “Jojopyun” Pyun is reportedly on the verge of a groundbreaking move to Europe, with rumors suggesting that the 20-year-old has verbally agreed to join MAD Lions KOI in the LEC. This comes just weeks after the conclusion of the LCS Summer Split, where Jojopyun and his team, Cloud9, failed to secure a spot at the 2024 World Championship. If confirmed, this would mark the first time in League of Legends history that a homegrown North American player transitions to Europe’s top league, potentially signaling a broader migration of talent from the LCS.

Departure from Cloud9 Despite Ongoing Contract

According to an October 18th report by Alejandro “Anonimotum” Gomis from Sheep Esports, Jojopyun has reached a verbal agreement to join MAD Lions KOI. This news follows MAD Lions’ recent exit from Worlds 2024 after losing to Vietnam’s GAM Esports. Shortly after their elimination, MAD Lions released mid-laner Bartłomiej “Fresskowy” Przewoźnik, leaving fans curious about who would fill the vacancy. Few expected Jojopyun’s name to be in the mix.

If this move goes through, it will be the first time a North American player makes the jump to Europe’s premier competition. While LEC players like Luka “Perkz” Perković and Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen have moved westward to the LCS in the past, a switch in the opposite direction by an LCS-developed player would be unprecedented.

The Move Amid LCS Changes

The potential transfer comes at a time of significant change for the LCS. After the 2024 season, the LCS will merge with the South American leagues CBLOL and LLA, reducing the number of teams to just six in the newly formed dual-conference format. This restructuring could lead to more players exploring opportunities abroad, with Jojopyun’s possible move to the LEC being one of the first major shifts.

Jojopyun was under contract with Cloud9 through 2025, but his name recently disappeared from Riot’s Global Contract Database. While neither Jojopyun nor Cloud9 have commented on his departure, prominent LoL commentator IWDominate hinted that the player’s contract was terminated due to “tardiness.”

A Rising Star in North America

Jojopyun first gained attention in 2021 with Evil Geniuses, where he helped the team win the 2022 LCS Spring Split and achieve a top-four finish at MSI that year. Though EG stumbled in the summer and exited Worlds in the group stage, Jojopyun’s talent had already caught the eye of the global LoL community.

After his move to Cloud9, Jojopyun continued to be a key player but struggled to replicate his early success. C9 fell short of qualifying for both MSI and Worlds in 2024, suffering defeats to Team Liquid and 100 Thieves.

MAD Lions KOI’s Recent Struggles

MAD Lions KOI barely made it into the 2024 Worlds Play-In stage, securing third place in the LEC Season Finals. After victories over Vikings and PSG Talon, they advanced to the Swiss stage but were quickly eliminated with a 0-3 record. As the team looks to rebuild for the next season, the addition of Jojopyun could bring new hope to the roster as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing Worlds campaign.