Sources: Team Heretics land Way in buyout deal, Stend heads to Misa Esports

Team Heretics have already secured their new support for the upcoming LEC Spring Split. As previously reported by Sheep Esports, the Spanish organization had been seeking a new profile to replace following a LEC Versus campaign that ultimately proved insufficient for the team’s ambitions. Considered names included supports , Théo "Zoelys" Le Scornec, Raphaël "Targamas" Crabbé, and Kim "Piero" Jung-hun.

As shared with Sheep Esports by sources, and confirmed at the time of writing by Misa Esports CEO Ziyad Misali, Team Heretics have decided to move forward with Way. The organization will pay a buyout for the player, the amount of which we aim to disclose by tomorrow at the latest.

Misali added on X: “To be honest, when we convinced Hype and Way to join Misa for free, even we couldn’t believe it,” the CEO explained. “But we had agreed from the start that if a Tier-1 offer arrived, we would allow it. When Heretics came in for Way, we worked to find a solution that made sense for everyone.”

Way joined in the TCL for the start of the 2026 season, a move that surprised many last offseason as the former KT Challengers player was already considered Tier-1 worthy. Way and his team delivered a remarkable performance, dropping only a single game during the entire Kickoff. While negotiations were already nearing a deal beforehand, Way notably won the TCL with his team this week, qualifying for EMEA Masters as TCL’s first seed.

Benched following this decision, Stend was offered to be traded back to Misa Esports as part of the deal, giving him the opportunity to find a new home. He agreed to the move on his own terms, filling the spot left open by Way.

Interestingly, Stend will already play in the upcoming Winter EMEA Masters with Misa Esports, which starts next Monday, March 9. While in previous years it was against Riot’s rulebook for a player to compete in EMEA Masters during the same split as an LEC split, the rule was adapted with the new EMEA Masters format now running through April. This change allows the transfer to take place despite the overlap, as EMEA Masters will run at the same time as the LEC and potentially the TCL Spring Split, effectively making the previous restriction outdated.

After a regular season marked by inconsistency, Team Heretics were unable to deliver in the playoffs, presenting a disjointed performance within a roster that lacked synergy. While Stend had shown promise during his rookie campaign last year, a more difficult start to this season led the organization to explore alternatives in the support role.

Heretics ultimately turned to Way, whose presence in the ERL ecosystem had already raised eyebrows given the level of talent he appeared to possess—arguably commensurate with Tier 1 competition. Having begun his career in the KT Rolster academy system, Way was promoted to the main roster during last year’s LCK Cup. However, as results fell short of expectations, he was gradually replaced by Jeong “Peter” Yoon-su. Despite a handful of additional appearances during the LCK Season, he was unable to firmly establish himself.

On his way (haha) to the LEC, the 23-year-old support will play alongside Yoon “Ice” Sang-hoon in the botlane.