Jungler Johnny "Yukino" Dang will remain with Karmine Corp Blue next season, as announced by the organization’s CEO and founder, Kamel "Kameto" Kebir, during a Twitch stream. During the offseason, Sheep Esports followed the situation closely with the help of several sources.

Rejecting an LCS offer

Despite receiving an offer from FlyQuest, the young American player has chosen to continue his journey with the team with which he recently won the EMEA Masters Summer title. Yukino has just completed his first year in the LFL after departing the NACL at the end of last year. Throughout the year, he steadily rose in form, ultimately establishing himself as a fan favourite.

FlyQuest and Karmine Crop had already agreed on a buyout deal for the 19-year-old player, which means that the final decision remained in Yukino's hands. In the end, the player decided that he prefers to stay with Karmine Corp, believing that the decision fits him better in the long term. The player is also expected to extend his contract with the team as a consequence.

A surprising decision

During his Twitch broadcast where Kameto explained this decision without naming FlyQuest. He confirmed that the final choice rested entirely with the player. Yukino independently decided to remain with Karmine Corp. As a member of the French organization’s LFL roster, he has often expressed how comfortable he feels within the team environment. In an interview with Sheep Esports following the EMEA Masters final, he even stated his desire to continue competing in Europe.

Yet FlyQuest appeared to have every reason to convince the jungler to return to his home region. Having recently lost Kacper "Inspired" Słoma to LYON, the LTA champions were looking to rebuild their roster with Yukino as a central piece. Nonetheless, the player ultimately chose to stay with Karmine Corp.

A continuing love story

Joining Karmine Corp Blue at 19 years old during the Spring Split as an import, Yukino progressively improved, reaching the LFL final and the EMEA Masters semifinals in his very first split. He followed up in the next split with increasingly impressive performances, capturing both the LFL title and the EMEA Masters, delivering standout series against Los Ratones in the semifinals and Los Heretics in the final.

Thanks to this success, Karmine Corp Blue qualified for the LEC Versus event, which will replace next year’s Winter Split. He will then return to the LFL for the Spring and Summer Splits. Although the LEC jungler position will be filled by Martin "Yike" Sundelin, Yukino will nonetheless remain part of Karmine Corp Blue. However, any chance of a 2026 promotion is effectively blocked, since the LEC’s import spots are already taken in both sololanes.

Karmine Corp Blue's reported 2026 roster:

For more roster changes, don't forget to check out our Transfers Hub and the Offseason Live Tracker.

Wooloo's note: I am shocked wtf.