Australian jungler Shern “Shernfire” Cherng Tai will join Team Oplon in La Ligue Française League of Legends for the LFL summer split, sources told Upcomer on Tuesday. He will replace Bruno “Bruness” Freund and bring seven years of pro League experience to a team in need of veteran talent after a last-place finish in the LFL spring split.
Shernfire started his career in the Oceanic Pro League. Through winning the OPL, Shernfire managed to qualify to Mid-Season Invitational as well as Worlds in 2017. He made it to MSI and Worlds in 2018 as well. After this domestic success and international experience, Shernfire debuted in North America with Team Liquid’s Academy roster in 2019. The 23-year-old got some onstage experience in the League Championship Series with the primary Team Liquid roster in early 2020 as well as jungler Mads “Broxah” Brock-Pedersen dealt with visa issues.
After some coaching with Dire Wolves back in Oceania, Shernfire came back to North America to play for Cloud9 Academy. Shernfire and his team finished first in the NA Academy 2021 spring split and second in both the summer split and playoffs.
Team Oplon had a difficult debut split in the LFL this year. They finished last with a record of 2-16. Team Oplon have already made a change in the bot lane by signing Fares “Xicor” Saidana, and the French organization is expected to make additional changes alongside the acquisition of Shernfire, sources told Upcomer. Team Oplon are expected to keep 18-year-old mid laner Pengcheng “Peng” Shen, sources said.
It is currently unknown where former Team Oplon jungler Bruness will play next split.
This is not the first time that a player from NA Academy has joined the LFL. Former 100 Thieves and TSM Academy bot laner Cody “Cody Sun” Sun joined Elyandra Mirage in 2022 to compete in France as well. The former LCS bot laner is expected to stay with Elyandra Mirage next split, sources told Upcomer.
It also remains to be seen what other changes Team Oplon could make for summer, but they will be fighting to climb up higher in the standings. The LFL still has a promotion system with its second division and Team Oplon don’t want to risk losing their spot.
