The top North American emperor of 2025 is undergoing major changes. As the LCS returns under its original branding in 2026, FlyQuest will keep only two of their starting players from last season â their carries Song âQuadâ Soo-hyung and Fahad âMassuâ Abdulm â rebuilding the team on a reduced budget.
Kacper â
Inspiredâ SĆoma, the leagueâs 2025 MVP and its highest-paid player,
has departed to join LYON, following talks with both FlyQuest and TeamâŻLiquid, ultimately choosing LYONâs highly competitive new project. Similarly, the team stuck to its offseason plan early on, deciding that
GabriĂ«l âBwipoââŻRau would not continue as FlyQuestâs starting toplaner in 2026, allowing him to explore opportunities in both the top and jungle roles. Added to these exits is
Alan âBusioââŻCwalina, who opted to join KarmineâŻCorp despite remaining FlyQuestâs first-choice option for next season.
To reshape its identity after these high-profile departures, FlyQuest have also brought in a new head coach, parting ways with the
long-time duo Erlend âNukeduckââŻVĂ„tevik Holm and Alfonso âMithyââŻRodrĂguez. The organization has handed the reins to
Thomas âThinkcardââŻSlotkin, returning to FlyQuest after a year with FURIA in LTAâŻSouth, entrusting him with leading the clubâs rebuild and roster strategy.
Three players under 20
With major shoes to fill in 2026 given FlyQuestâs roster standards over the past two years, the organization explored a wide range of market options. In the jungle role,
Johnson âGryffinnâ Le was ultimately chosen. The young American-Vietnamese player received offers from both FlyQuest and Dignitas, but decided to join the reigning North American champions.
The team had initially targeted Johnny â
Yukinoâ Dang from Karmine CorpâŻBlue, and while an agreement was reportedly reached between the two organizations,
Yukino personally opted to remain with KCB in Europe â forcing FlyQuest to turn to their second choice. The clubâs third-listed option for the role was Pedro â
TatuââŻSeixas from FURIA.
Meanwhile,
İbrahim âGakgosââŻSametâŻBulut has been confirmed as Bwipoâs successor in the toplane. Signed by the club during the SummerâŻ2025 Split, he served as Bwipoâs understudy and learned behind the scenes throughout the season. At just 17âŻyears old, he becomes the second recent player to make the leap directly from a tierâ3 league to tierâŻ1 competition, after Kamil "Kamiloo" Haudegond in the LEC.
Finally,
Michael âCryogenââŻLuu was the last piece to be locked in. After an extended tryout period involving multiple candidates, he will also make his LCS debut in 2026. While Busio was initially the organizationâs top choice, FlyQuest opted for this young talent emerging from the NorthâŻAmerican amateur circuit. Cryogen was notably the only support to attend the tryouts in person and had an alternative offer from G2âŻNord, G2 Esports' new academy in the PrimeâŻLeague, which he declined in favor of joining FlyQuest.
FlyQuest's reported roster has been completed:
- Toplaner: İbrahim "Gakgos" Samet Bulut
- Jungler: Johnson "Gryffinn" Le
- Midlaner: Song "Quad" Soo-hyung
- ADC: Fahad "Massu" Abdulmalek
- Support: Michael "Cryogen" Luu
- Head coach: Thomas "Thinkcard" Slotkin
For more roster changes, check out ourÂ
Transfers Hub and
Offseason Live Tracker. Header Photo Credit: FlyQuest