According to sources close to Sheep Esports, Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov has reached a verbal agreement with Team Vitality for the 2026 VCT EMEA season. After three years competing under Fnatic’s banner, the Russian player is set for a major change of scenery, where he will once again join forces with Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev, his former teammate and longtime partner in success. With this high-profile addition, the French organization is expected to wrap up its offseason moves.

Alongside the Finnish superstar, Ștefan “Sayonara” Mîtcu is the only other returning player, even though he did not take part in VCT EMEA 2025 due to age restrictions. The Romanian talent signed with the Bees back in March and is now set to finally make his official debut next season. The duo will be reinforced by another pairing, arriving from BBL Esports, following the verbal agreements of Dawid “PROFEK” Święć and Elias “Jamppi” Olkkonen recently reported by Sheep Esports. The whole project will be led by Gregor “PAL” Morton, the former coach of the two latter in the Turkish organization, who has also made the switch to Vitality.

Rendez-vous at Champions

The year started with promise for Vitality, kicking things off with a trophy and an international appearance at Masters Bangkok, but the momentum quickly stalled. The French squad went on to finish Top 7-8 in Stage 1, missing out on qualification for the Esports World Cup, before closing their run with yet another Top 7-8 in Stage 2. These results ultimately cost them a spot at VALORANT Champions Paris, forcing them to watch the World Championship played on home soil from the sidelines.

With this blockbuster roster rebuild, Vitality is set to secure the second-highest earning player in VALORANT history. Chronicle may have finally found the opportunity he needed to chase the one title missing from his already stacked trophy cabinet: Champions. He came agonizingly close this year, falling in three consecutive international finals: first Masters Toronto against Paper Rex, then the Esports World Cup versus Team Heretics, and finally the World Championship in Paris against a resurgent NRG Esports roster.

Team Vitality roster for 2026:

For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub.

Header Photo Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games