Cloud9 has announced a significant shift in its League of Legends roster as the midlaner, Lee ‘Loki’ Sang-min, has decided to step down. This development comes as the organisation gears up for the next competitive season.
Departure of a Rising Star
Loki will be staying in Seoul, South Korea, due to personal obligations, as revealed by sources. The announcement, made on November 4th, 2025, mentioned Loki’s decision was necessary and deeply personal, aiming to stay closer to family. Cloud9 has expressed full support for Loki as he exits the roster.
Joining Cloud9 in November 2024, Loki quickly became an influential player. His rookie season saw Cloud9 finishing second in the first two LTA North splits and achieving a top-four position in Split three, earning him the title of LTA North Rookie of the Year. “Thank you for supporting and cheering me,” Loki shared on social media, noting the difficulty of his choice to leave Cloud9, yet cherishing the memories made.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
With Loki’s exit, Cloud9 is on the hunt for a new midlaner for the 2026 season. The team will compete in the upcoming LCS season, alongside teams like FlyQuest and Sentinels, as the LTA concludes after its inaugural season. The departure marks another change following Cloud9’s recent appointment of Nick ‘Inero’ Smith as Head Coach, who has taken on this role after leaving Immortals in 2024.
Building for 2026
Cloud9 now faces the task of finding a suitable replacement during the off-season to enhance their 2025 performance. With ambitions to return to international competitions, following their absence from Worlds and the Mid-Season Invitational, Cloud9 aims to make a strong comeback in 2026.