According to sources close to
Sheep Esports, and as
reported first by @GoodGoodGame on X,
FunPlus Phoenix has signed Zhao
"Xlele" Yanbo ahead of the next stage of the
VALORANT season. The Chinese Duelist was most recently part of Trace Esports, with whom he appeared in VCT China Stage 1.
It was already with Trace Esports that the 21-year-old began his professional journey last year. Although he was not fielded in VCT China at the time, he did compete in two events with the organization: the China Evolution Series Act 2 x ACL, a tournament running alongside VCT China and featuring the same teams, and the 2025 Asian Champions League, a multi-title Chinese esports competition.
Xlele subsequently spent the latter part of the 2025 season under different colours. He competed in the VCT CN Ascension tournament with Thunder Gaming, gaining valuable experience both in the promotion circuit and within China's broader competitive VALORANT ecosystem.
Upon returning to Trace, however, his VCT debut produced mixed results. While the team managed to qualify for the playoffs, it failed to win a single map once there and exited Stage 1 following consecutive 0-2 defeats, first to All Gamers in the upper bracket and then to Dragon Ranger Gaming in the lower bracket.
FPX looking for answers after a difficult first half of the season
For FunPlus Phoenix, this move follows a difficult start to the year. Despite showing encouraging signs during its run, the organisation failed to qualify for the Esports World Cup and also finished 11th in VCT China Stage 1, placing them second-to-last in the league standings. For a team that was previously a regular contender in China, these results highlighted the need for changes before the next stage of the season.
FPX has not qualified for an international event since VALORANT Champions 2024, so this roster change is part of a wider attempt to regain competitiveness in regional competitions. By bringing in Xlele, the organization appears to be adding a player capable of providing firepower in Duelist roles, while also giving the roster more flexibility. FPX will now hope that his arrival can help the team show a clearer direction in Stage 2.
