Canadian midlaner Joseph Joon "jojopyun" Pyun has played a significant role early in this LCS offseason. After negotiations involving several LCS teams, he reached a verbal
agreement with Cloud9 on Nov. 3. However, the story didn't end there, as a new contender from the LCK, Liiv SANDBOX, entered the fray. Sources have provided new information to Sheep Esports as Liiv SANDBOX attempted to acquire the player.
Few would fault jojopyun for contemplating breaking his verbal agreement with Cloud9, considering the potential for a historic move. Liiv SANDBOX put forward a substantial bid for jojopyun, attempting to sign the player over Cloud9. It became a serious battle between both organizations, leading Cloud9 to revise and increase their initial offer.
Ultimately, Cloud9 emerged victorious as negotiations definitively concluded. Jojo is now set to sign with the North American organization.
While player transfers from the LCS to the LCK have happened before, this would have marked a first-of-its-kind move in League of Legends esports. No player native to North America has ever been a starter in the LCK. Witnessing the 19-year-old Canadian midlaner compete against the likes of Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok throughout the year would have been a thrilling prospect for many fans worldwide.
With Cloud9 finalizing their roster, Liiv SANDBOX finds themselves still in the market, actively searching for a midlaner as the LCK offseason kicks off. It's noteworthy that Sandbox has already acquired Support Lee "JeongHoon" Jeong-hoon, who is set to return to South Korea after his time with Astralis in the LEC.
