Sources: Hazel set to be promoted to Karmine Corp Blue

AD Carry Costin “Hazel” Pestrițu is set to be promoted to Karmine Corp Blue, the organization’s LFL roster and the mid-tier team within Karmine Corp’s three-tier League of Legends structure, sources tell Sheep Esports. The 18-year-old Romanian talent will make his LFL debut after spending a year with KC Blue Stars in LFL Division 2.

Hazel will replace Thomas “3XA” Foucou, who is currently competing at EMEA Masters with KC Blue and is exploring options with LEC teams. Hazel is the second player joining KC Blue this offseason after the expected arrival of Kamil "Kamiloo" Haudegond as previously reported by Sheep Esports.

While 2026 will mark Hazel’s first year in the LFL, it will also be his final year in school, as he is not yet fully invested in esports full-time. His move to the LFL is expected to set up a full transition in 2027. This year, Hazel peaked above 1500 LP in SoloQ, making him the highest-ranked Romanian player in Europe.

Earlier this year, Karmine Corp launched the Blue Stars project, making them the only LEC organization with a second academy team below their ERL roster — a rare structure designed specifically to develop young talents. While many of these players, such as Xu “Tao” Hongtao Alessandro, Oliver “Baashh” Klitfelt, and Mathis “MathisV” Vannieuwenuyse, had no prior professional experience, Hazel had already competed in ERLs with LUA Gaming in the SuperLiga last year. However, due to his young age, he was still eligible to join the project.

While the sports results were rather disappointing (fifth in winter, sixth in spring, eighth in summer), the goal was to develop young talents so that they would then get a chance in an ERL team. Hazel was one of the players who showed the most promise during the year, especially on Aphelios, his favorite champion. Karmine did not hesitate to trust him and wanted to extend his contract even before the offseason began.

For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub and Offseason Live Tracker.