Sources: chloric set to join Natus Vincere ahead of VCT EMEA Split 1

According to sources close to Sheep Esports, Natus Vincere has reached a verbal agreement with Caide "chloric" Heaton for its main team competing in VCT EMEA. After a difficult start to the 2026 season, the Ukrainian organization is making its first change, though likely not the last, according to sources familiar with the situation who spoke to Sheep Esports. chloric will reportedly replace Andrei "Shao" Kiprskii in the roster.

chloric has been active in the North American VALORANT scene since 2022, mainly at the collegiate level. He first played with Fisher College Navy, before experiencing a slightly higher level starting in 2025 with Maryville Esports. Usually playing Initiators but able to flex onto many different agents, including Raze, whom he has played extensively, the American player took a step forward in early 2025 by competing in Challengers North America. This opportunity came through the partnership between his university and NRG Esports, the 2025 world champion at the VALORANT Champions Paris, which decided to invest in an academy team.

After finishing Top 7–8 in the Swiss Round stage, with notable wins against M80 and Evil Geniuses Academy, NRG entered the playoffs with strong ambitions. Facing surprising sleepers, the North American organization’s academy roster failed to establish its game and immediately dropped to the lower bracket. Back against EG’s secondary team, another world champion organization in VALORANT, chloric and his teammates managed to secure the win and continue their run in the playoffs.

In the following round against SaD Esports, their journey ultimately came to an end with a rather one-sided 2-0 loss. Nevertheless, the American player caught NAVI’s attention, notably thanks to several strong statistics. chloric ranked seventh in both Kill:Death ratio and ADR (Average Damage per Round), a notable performance for a non-Duelist player.

He therefore joined the most historic organization in Ukraine just before VCT EMEA Split 1, a transfer that forced him to change continents and move far from his usual environment. After starting this Kickoff well with two consecutive wins against Karmine Corp and Team Heretics, Natus Vincere then began to struggle. First defeated 2-0 by Gentle Mates, NAVI also failed to beat Fnatic in the middle bracket and eventually got eliminated from the first tournament of the season in the following round after a 1-2 loss to Team Heretics, whom they had previously defeated earlier in the winner bracket.

This negative momentum did not change during the VALORANT EMEA Clash, a mid-season VCT tournament that mixes Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams. The Ukrainian club first lost 2-0 to ULF Esports before missing their chance against UCAM Esports, the Challengers Spain champion, and getting eliminated from the competition after only two matches.