Sources: Serin set to join Team Heretics in the LEC

Midlaner Tolga "Serin" Ölmez is set to join Team Heretics in the LEC on a two-year deal, sources tell Sheep Esports on Thursday. This information was first reported by Flank Esports. The 23-year-old Turkish player is therefore making the jump to Tier 1 after an impressive year in the LFL with Galions, where he consistently showcased his skills and proved himself as one of the league’s standout players.

While the priority, Serin, was not the only midlaner considered by Team Heretics. The Spanish organization considered Korean midlaners such as Song "SeTab" Kyeong-jin from ThunderTalk Gaming, Lee "Fisher" Jeong-tae from Nongshim RedForce Academy, who also played in the LCK this year. In Europe, Team Heretics considered Midlaners Yoon "Poby" Sung-won, Jeong "Feisty" Seong-hoon, Vladimiros "Vladi" Kourtidis, and Paweł "Czekolad" Szczepanik.

According to sources, Serin initially declined Team Heretics’ first offer, as he was also considering opportunities. However, on Wednesday, Team Heretics raised their offer, which ultimately convinced the Turkish midlaner to accept. In ERLs, the player was also considered by Misa Esports (TCL) and Joblife (LFL). He becomes the first new addition to Team Heretics’ roster this offseason. Meanwhile, French support Paul "Stend" Lardin is expected to stay with the team, as previously reported by Sheep Esports. Former Heretics players Kamil "Kamiloo" Haudegond and Carl "Carlsen" Carlsen, on the other hand, have both found new homes in the LFL.

Per sources, last year, Heretics had already considered Serin. The Spanish team had to decide between him, Kamil "Kamiloo" Haudegond or Vincent "Vetheo" Berrié. Víctor "Machuki" Machuca Segura, the team’s previous head coach, together with the staff and Team Heretics, chose the French player due to his outstanding performance in the tryouts conducted by the team, who was playing in LFL Div 2 with IziDream.

Although Serin has never competed in the LEC, he does have prior Tier 1 experience from his time in the TCL, back when the league still held that status. He represented Turkey internationally at both MSI and Worlds. Serin began his career in the Turkish academy scene with Team AURORA Academy and later İstanbul Wildcats Academy, while also competing for the main roster in the TCL. In 2021, he captured the Winter Split title, earning a spot at MSI 2021, where the team finished 1–5, securing their sole win against MAD Lions.

The same scenario repeated in 2022, with the team ending with the same record, a sole win against RED Canids. That year, they also won the Summer Split and took part in Worlds in the Americas, finishing last in Group B of the Play-In stage. Afterwards, Serin joined Papara SuperMassive in 2023, NNO Prime in 2024, and Galions in 2025, but he did not win any trophies over those three years.

Toplane: TBD
Jungle: TBD
Midlane: Tolga "Serin" Ölmez
AD Carry: TBD
Support: Paul "Stend" Lardin
Head Coach: Jonas "Hidon" Vraa
Assistant Coach: Emre “Arkhe” Akpınarlı

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