SK Gaming releases Pirean from LEC roster

German esports organization SK Gaming announced its first roster change after placing 7th in the 2019 League of Legends European Championship Summer Split. The team was one spot away from making it to playoffs, despite having the same win-loss ratio as Rogue and Team Vitality. Former SK Gaming mid laner Choi “Pirean” Jun-sik will not continue with the organization on to the 2020 Spring Split.

For 2020, we decided to part ways with @Pireanlol.

Thank you for being part of our first year's #LEC journey, being the leader of the boys and surrounding us with your positivity and Disney shirt magic every day.

We wish you all the best for the future!#RUNSKG pic.twitter.com/KLl268boOG

— SK Gaming (@SKGaming) September 30, 2019

Pirean’s departure

“As some of you already know (I’m) no longer contracted with SK Gaming, currently looking for team for 2020. (Direct messages) open or contact: [email protected],” wrote Choi “Pirean” Jun-sik on social media after being released.

Pirean is a Korean League of Legends player who started competing in 2016. He first joined Team Impulse as a challenger player but left after Riot Games banned the team for not having proper contracts in place. Pirean left to Phoenix1 with fellow teammates Brandon “Mash” Phan and Yu “Gate” Jia-Jun. Later, he had a short stint on Team EnVyUs.

He later returned to Phoenix 1, until transitioning to a role on SK Telecom T1 as a substitute in early 2018. Unfortunately, the Korean powerhouse team only managed a 7th place finish during 2018’s LCK Summer Split, and his contract was not renewed. Since then, he played under SK Gaming, starting with the 2019 LEC Spring Split. The team placed 6th during the Spring Split but lost to Splyce in the playoffs to place 5 – 6. 

During the 2019 LEC Summer Split, SK Gaming first moved Toni “Sacre” Sabalić to the main roster from academy team SK Gaming Prime. Sacre replaced Jorge “Werlyb” Casanovas, who was demoted to the academy team. Janik “Jenax” Bartels was also later promoted from SK Gaming Prime in August. The German organization took a chance with Pirean because of his former role on the three-time World Championship organization. However, Pirean did not perform up to expectations. Sacre and Jenax’s contracts have been extended through 2020, but Pirean will have to find a new home.