LoL Esports: T1 Makes Off-season Moves to their Roster

T1, this year’s League of Legends world champions, have begun making moves to shape their roster ahead of the upcoming 2025 season.

Known as “T1 ZOFGK,” their championship roster consisted of Faker, Oner, Zeus, Keria, and Gumayusi. It is worth noting that T1 has been running this lineup from 2020 to their recent championship run, and during this iteration of T1, they have been competing in Worlds, resulting in 2 championships.

Players Re-Sign and Leave T1

T1 was quick to make some key moves during the early goings of the offseason. Their first task was to re-sign as many of their back-to-back champions as possible.

T1’s Bot Lane Duo Re-Signs

The first key re-signings T1 have made are to keep their vaunted bot lane intact. They were successful in doing so, locking in Keria, their popular Support player, in a 2-year contract, while Gumayusi, their ADC specialist, is still onboard with the team for a 1-year contract.

Keria noted in a video posted on X that he has re-signed with T1 for a multi-years contract, and he plans to cross off more achievements as part of T1,

“ I’m so pleased to continue with T1 for two years. As I won Worlds twice at T1, I know that there are more goals that I can achieve at T1, and I think that T1 would be the best team which can help me to achieve my goals. So I will show better performance for another two years with the support of my fans. Thank you for supporting me.”

Gumayusi, T1’s highly skilled ADC, noted in a short X post that he has set his goal to continue becoming the best ADC in the world with T1, the team he was part of ever since his days in the T1 Academy,

“I’m so grateful to be able to be with T1 and the T1 fans once again. I’ll do my best until the day I become the best ADC in the world. Thank you.”

T1 re-signing arguably their best bot laners is a no-brainer, though Gumayusi opting for a 1-year contract extension has raised some eyebrows in the community. Nevertheless, T1’s bot lane will be in fighting form for next year’s season.

Oner Re-Signs with T1

Oner, T1’s premier Jungler, has re-signed with the team on a two-year contract. Oner has been crucial in the team’s success, with his exceptional Jungling prowess in full display during the team’s Worlds run this year.

Oner stated that he was honored to hold the Jungler position for T1 again, and apart from their aspirations to win yet another Worlds title, Oner was also setting his sights on winning domestically,

“Since we won the World Championship for the last two years, I can say we have achieved a lot. I want to win LCK as well in the next two years, and create more fun memories with fans. I will do my best to perform well over the next two years.”

Zeus Departs from T1, Doran To Take Up Top Lane Duties

Zeus, T1’s Top Laner, has not re-signed with T1. This is the biggest surprise so far, since Zeus was instrumental in T1’s back-to-back championship. Most notably, his play against BLG’s Bin during Worlds 2024 Finals was exceptional, especially his Gragas pick to counter Bin’s infamous Jax.

Along with Oner, Zeus has been part of T1 since 2020, with both starting at the T1 Academy. He made it into the main roster in 2021 as Canna’s substitute at Top Lane, and was later promoted to the primary Top Laner in 2022 until 2024.

Zeus has accrued many titles during his time at T1. This includes championships during the LCK Spring 2022, Worlds 2023, Esports World Cup 2024, and Worlds 2024 Champion, on top of getting the nod as Finals MVP of Worlds 2023.

T1 announced Zeus’ departure from the team and thanked him for his contributions for the team in a post in X,

“Today, we part ways with ‘Zeus’. We truly thank him for all that he has accomplished at T1 and wish him all the best.”

Following their announcement, T1 revealed that they have found their new Top Laner in Doran for the upcoming 2025 season. Doran has a decorated standing since debuting in the LCK in 2019: he is an LCK Champion for three seasons in a row in Summer 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2024 while in Gen.G, in addition to his fourth LCK title in Summer 2024 while in HLE.

That said, Doran has been in six teams, starting with Griffin, DRX, KT Roster, Gen.G, HLE, and now T1.

This decision to pick up Doran right after Zeus’ departure was a quick one, and it will be interesting to see what his chemistry will be with Faker and the rest of the team. That said, T1 is urging the fans to stand with their decision to get Doran in a post in X,

“Please support him as the new Top Laner for T1 and help him shine even brighter at T1!”

T1 Academy and Coaching Staff Changes

Apart from the main roster changes, T1’s coaching staff and players from T1 Academy has also seen some coaches and players depart:

Rekkles Parts Ways with T1

Rekkles, one of the most popular LEC players, was part of T1’s 2024 championship team as a substitute. Rekkles has made it clear that he still plans to compete at the highest level, and has since announced that he will be part of Caedrel’s new team, Los Ratones, along with Thebausffs, Velja, Nemesis, and Crownie.

Los Ratones will compete in the Northern League of Legends Championship (NLC), a part of the European Regional Leagues (ERL). Ultimately, the goal of Los Ratones is to get a spot in the LEC.

Rekkles had nothing but kind words to T1, whom he considered his foster family. In a lengthy message on X, he noted his gratitude to T1 during his tenure with the team,

“I will always be grateful for my time with T1, not just for the experience but for how it has helped me grow as a player and a person. Coming to Korea without experience in the role or knowing the language was a challenge, but T1 believed in me anyway. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and staff at T1 HQ for helping me along the way, and to all of our fans for supporting us. It has been an honor to wear the T1 badge.”

Dal Leaves T1

Dal, a Top Laner who was part of T1 Rookies from 2021 to 2022 and became promoted to the T1 Academy from 2022 to 2024, has agreed to part ways with T1 after a mutual agreement. The team announced through X about Dal’s departure, 

“Today, we part ways with ‘Dal’ by mutual agreement. We sincerely thank him for his dedication as the team’s top laner, from T1A Rookies to T1 Esports Academy. Just as he has grown with T1, we will continue to support his dreams as he strives for more in the future.”

Roach Becomes Inactive, to Undergo Military Service

T1 coach “Roach” will be inactive from the roster to fulfill his mandatory military service duty. Roach announced in a post in X that his departure will be temporary, and once his service has been completed, he’ll be back by the 2026 season at the earliest,

“I’ll be stepping away for a while to fulfill my duty, so it’s with a heavy heart that I announce my temporary departure. With all my experiences as a pro player and coach combined, T1 has become the team I’ve been with the longest. Over these past two years, being with the best team, alongside the best players, head coaches, coaches, and all the staff who provided endless support, has been an incredible journey, especially in these winning moments.”

GBM Departs T1 Academy

GBM, head coach of T1 Esports Academy, has announced his departure from the team after two seasons of participating in the LCK CK. He has worked with fellow coach, Rather, resulting in their team landing in fourth place during the LCK CL Summer 2024.
“We sincerely thank him for taking on the new challenge of being a head coach with T1, and for giving his all for the development of the players. We wish him all the best and much happiness in his future endeavors and new beginnings,” T1 posted in X following GBM’s departure.

Looking Ahead

T1’s moves during the offseason feel like the team is still locked in to keep their championship run for the upcoming season. The departure of Zeus can prove to be a huge blow to the T1’s chemistry, and to say that Doran has big shoes to fill.

That said, the team’s latest iteration of their team will be on full display during the upcoming KeSPA Cup 2024.