From LEC to Barça: 113 finds a new home after a rocky offseason and aims for redemption at EMEA Masters alongside former teammate Czekolad
It’s been a long split-break for Doğukan “113” Balcı. Early in the offseason, he parted ways with Team BDS after learning that the organization planned to hold tryouts for the jungle position in the LEC. Not long after, he reached a verbal agreement with long-standing TCL organization Papara SuperMassive. However, the deal fell through following the controversy involving PAPARA, the digital wallet and payment platform that sponsors and owns the team.
Contested by LFL teams
Now, 113 has officially found his new home, sources tell Sheep Esports. The Turkish jungler will be joining none other than recent EMEA Masters finalists Barça eSports. The Spanish organization had been in the market for a new jungler after selling Francisco "Thayger" Mazo Sánchez to Natus Vincere in the LEC for a reported fee close to €20,000. Among the candidates was another Turkish talent, Enes “XnS” Hansu, who was considered a strong second option.
Although 113 was Barça’s top priority, his signing wasn’t a certainty. Several other teams, including LFL contenders Gentle Mates and his former squad BK ROG Esports, also showed interest. However, on Saturday, 113 informed other suitors of his decision to join the Spanish organization.
Sights on EMEA Masters
This move reunites 113 with former teammate Paweł “Czekolad” Szczepanik, as the two previously played together on BK ROG Esports last year, with moderate success.
Barça eSports have reportedly set their sights high for the summer: winning the EMEA Masters. As such, they were determined to sign the strongest jungler available on the market.
During his time in the LEC with Team BDS, 113 delivered several standout performances, though consistency remained an issue. Combined with a team struggling to find its rhythm, BDS ended the Winter and Spring Splits in sixth and eighth place, respectively. Despite already having two LEC stints under his belt, 113 is still only 20 years old—and could have his best years still ahead of him.
Barça Esports' reported 2025 roster
- Top: Matti "WhiteKnight" Sormunen
- Jungle: Doğukan "113" Balcı
- Mid: Paweł "Czekolad" Szczepanik
- ADC: Sergio "Legolas" Vicente Gispert
- Support: Alexandru "whiteinn" Kolozsvari
For more roster changes, don't forget to check out our Transfers Hub. You can also discuss this move in our Discord server.
Header Photo Credit: LCK/Riot Games
- Brieuc "LEC Wooloo" Seeger -
/Comments
Write a comment