Sources: Malrang set to join Rogue, or their buyer, in the LEC

Kim "Malrang" Geun-seong has reached an agreement to play for Rogue — or whichever organization acquires the team's franchise slot — in the LEC next year, according to Sheep Esports sources. After departing from KOI (formerly Rogue) after a disastrous 2023 season, Malrang spent this year with KaBuM! Esports in the CBLOL, where he saw middling results despite the region's relative weakness compared to EMEA.

Four other notable names were considered for the jungle position. Rogue's first option was Ham "HamBak" Yoo-jin from KT Challengers. However, the South Korean jungler could not wait for an offer and instead signed with OK Brion in the LCK. All-time LEC jungler Marcin "Jankos" Jankowski was another choice but did not fit within Rogue's target budget. He has since been reported to join former teammate Perkz in the NLC under the Ruddy Esports banner.

The final two possibilities were Zhou "Bo" Yang-Bo and Ganbat "Yuuji" Ulziidelger. Bo's last professional game was in March 2024 with Karmine Corp and he has been inactive since then. Meanwhile, Yuuji has been touted as the next jungler to be promoted to the LTA North after a very successful 2024, including winning the NACL summer split with Dragonsteel. However, he would not have been able to obtain his visa in time to compete in the LEC next year and Rogue ultimately decided to move forward with Malrang.

With Malrang's return to Rogue, the LEC offseason is complete with all ten teams finalized. Whether or not they play under the Rogue banner, Malrang will compete alongside Adam "Adam" Maanane, Emil "Larssen" Larsson, Patrik "Patrik" Jírů, and Lee "Execute" Jeong-hoon.

When Rogue won the LEC trophy in 2022, Malrang was the heart of the roster — his unique ganks, creative style, and undeniable dominance made him a fan favorite. Throughout the year, his opponents insisted that his style was too inefficient to work in the long term and that he would eventually be figured out. Unfortunately, that seemed to come true.

After swapping Andrei "Odoamne" Pascu for Mathias "Szygenda" Jensen, the reigning LEC champions finished the Winter Bo1 stage in 7th place. The team rallied in the playoffs, though — a respectable 3rd-place finish behind MAD and G2. KOI fans breathed a short-lived sigh of relief.

As it turned out, Winter's podium finish was the exception to a rule of mediocre results for KOI's debut LEC roster. The team placed 6th in Spring and 8th in Summer — despite retaining four of their players, the 2022 Summer LEC champions didn't even qualify for the Season Finals. Change was inevitable.

With Rogue losing the KOI branding for 2024 — the beloved Spanish brand instead moved to the MAD Lions — Malrang was among the players cut from the team. Apparently, though, his stint in Brazil proved that he has what it takes to return to the LEC — can the player who earned Rogue their first trophy help them return to glory? Only time will tell.