GameWard has found a replacement for Kim "Zest" Dong-min, who recently departed for the TCL as previously reported by Sheep Esports. According to our info, John “Sotsy” Sicre has reached a verbal agreement with GameWard to join the team for the LFL Summer Split 2025. This will be his first appearance in LFL Division 1.

Mehdi "Potent" Ahmed Bouchaffra, another well-known toplaner on the French scene who plays for Esprit Shonen in LFL Division 2, was also considered for the position.

Sotsy’s return to France — and his first appearance in the LFL’s top division — will reunite him with a familiar face: Matias "Matias" Manchin-Opheltes, GameWard’s current ADC. The duo previously dominated the French amateur scene in 2022, leading their team all the way to a Coupe de France qualification at the end of the year.

Back in France

Sotsy has waited a long time for this moment, and will finally make his debut in the top French league after a career spent building consistency and recognition across the ERL ecosystem. He began his competitive journey in 2020 and has since played for a wide range of teams across France, Spain, and Greece — including Akroma in LFL Division 2, Lucent Esports, WLGaming Esports, and most recently Ramboot Club in the Spanish SuperLiga. He joined Ramboot for the Spring 2025 Split, but it was a short and challenging stint, with the team finishing 7th and getting eliminated during the Swiss Stage. His most notable title came with LUA Gaming in SuperLiga Segunda, where he helped the team win the Spring Split 2024, showcasing his ability to anchor a roster to success.

His arrival at GameWard represents more than just a symbolic promotion for a French veteran — it’s a strategic decision to bring in experience, leadership, and lane stability to a roster that struggled with consistency during Spring (5th place in Flash In, 7-8th in LFL Spring playoffs). For Sotsy, this is a long-awaited homecoming to the top of French competition; for GameWard, it’s a calculated bet on proven resilience rather than raw potential.

For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub.