Team Liquid has launched AD carry Steven “Hans sama” Liv from its League of Legends roster after only one season with the group. The six-year veteran performed his first season outdoors of Europe this 12 months and it’s unclear whether or not he’ll keep within the North American League ecosystem.
Hans sama was an integral a part of Liquid’s success in 2022, regardless of the team’s shortcomings on the home stage. Liquid got here only one recreation away from clinching North America’s ultimate berth on the League World Championship this season, in the end shedding to Evil Geniuses in the course of the quarterfinals of the LCS Championship.
Hans sama has expressed curiosity in returning to Europe by means of Karmine Corp, a team that competes within the LFL, based on a report final week from Brieuc Seeger of Upcomer.
“I’m actually excited to see how the long run seems to be like for me,” Hans sama stated in a farewell video posted to Liquid’s Twitter account. “I’m positively not going to surrender. I really like being on this place and competing on this recreation and I wish to do my greatest to maintain doing that and make everybody amazed with my play. No matter the place I find yourself, I’ll attempt my hardest.“
Hans sama was initially signed to a three-year contract with Liquid that had been set to run out on the finish of the 2024 season, based on the skilled League global contract database.
Liquid proprietor Steve Arhancet confirmed final week that the team will likely be seeking to transfer away from its technique of constructing “superteams” via free company and begin cultivating the expertise it already has on the homefront for the 2023 season. Arhancet outright stated that “the roster will likely be totally different” subsequent season in his update final week. Today, the primary domino of Liquid’s offseason toppled over with the departure of Hans sama, a participant who was meant to be a franchise pillar for Liquid judging by the size of his contract.
Other gamers signed to Liquid via subsequent season embody high laner Bwipo, jungler Santorin, and mid laner Bjergsen. It’s unclear what Liquid’s plan for these gamers is right now, though if Liquid is keen to terminate the contract of a participant like Hans sama, it’s protected to consider that any and all choices could also be on the desk.
Liquid may have 4 gamers’ contracts expiring outright this offseason, with beginning help CoreJJ, in addition to Academy-level gamers Haeri, Yeon, and Eyla all getting into free company. Liquid may look to increase them between now and the opening of the free company window on Nov. 22.