Natus Vincere will retain Lee "Hans SamD" Jae-hoon for the 2026 season, sources told Sheep Esports. The South Korean AD Carry has been under contract with NAVI since the previous Summer Split, running through the end of 2026, and will remain in the botlane of the Ukrainian organization, which has recently joined the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC).

Hans SamD’s year hasn’t been an easy one. Winter was by far his most successful split, finishing second at the LFL Flash In with Ici Japon Corp Esports before reaching the EMEA Masters Grand Final against Los Ratones. Spring was less fruitful, ending in a disappointing sixth place.

In Summer, NAVI joined the LEC after acquiring Rogue’s slot and decided to make roster changes, promoting Hans SamD to the Tier 1 of Europe. After a solid 2023 with Estral Esports in the LLA and an excellent 2024 season with BK ROG Esports — which nearly earned him a promotion to the LEC — he finally got his chance in Summer 2025.

A Tough Learning Curve

But things didn’t go well for NAVI, as the team was eliminated after just four BO3s. Hans SamD reflected on the split in an interview with Sheep Esports, saying: “I hope I don’t get kicked from the team so that I can continue in the LEC next year and play against Hans Sama.”

NAVI have begun rebuilding their roster early. As previously reported by Sheep Esports, former Karmine Corp Blue coach Vasilis "TheRock" Voltis has already joined the organization to lead the project. Enes "Rhilech" Uçan was also locked in well before the Summer Split and will serve as the team’s jungler for 2026. Hans SamD becomes the second confirmed player for next season.

As previously revealed by Sheep Esports, Kim "Malrang" Geun-seong won’t be part of the team next year. Midlaner Emil "Larssen" Larsson’s starting spot with NAVI in the LEC is also in doubt for 2026. Although he remains under contract until the end of 2027—carried over from Rogue as part of NAVI’s LEC entry—the organization has started exploring other options for the midlane.

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

Natus Vincere’s reported 2026 Winter roster: