Sources: Kofte to Join Bushido Wildcats after SAKEN declined offer

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Bushido Wildcats. Following a series of underwhelming results in the TCL this season (finishing 5th–6th in both splits), the organization has turned to a familiar face in midlaner Emre "Kofte" Akça — the player who helped launch their journey in the Turkish league back in 2019, during their previous rebranding. According to sources close to Sheep Esports, the current BBL Dark Passage player has reached a verbal agreement with his former team, which had competed under the name Istanbul Wildcats until 2025 and did not take part in the TCL during the 2024 season.

Kofte will take over the mid lane role previously held by Cengizhan "Mercy9" Teker, who was sold to Los Heretics by Bushido Wildcats for €7,000 earlier this offseason.

Kofte began his professional career with the club. Despite a disappointing first split in 2019, he made a first successful return in 2023 — and nearly swept the board. Istanbul Wildcats dominated both splits of that TCL season and went on to win the Spring edition of the EMEA Masters. Riding that momentum, the midlaner went on to claim all domestic titles in Poland in 2024 with Zero Tenacity, including both Ultraliga splits and both seasons of the European Pro League.

Bringing back their former midlaner appears to be a logical step for Bushido Wildcats — but in reality, it wasn’t their first plan. Per sources, before confirming Kofte’s return, the organization had set its sights on Lucas “SAKEN” Fayard. A legend of Karmine Corp and the most decorated player in EMEA Masters history with four titles, SAKEN was the team’s top priority.

Bushido Wildcats made a strong offer—by ERL standards—to SAKEN, hoping to chase his fifth EMEA Masters title with him. After taking a long time to consider, SAKEN ultimately declined, prompting the Wildcats to turn to Kofte instead.

The French midlaner ultimately declined the offer and will therefore remain on the sidelines for another split, having stepped away from the competitive circuit in 2024 after an unsuccessful return to the LEC with KC. This marks the second time SAKEN has come close to making a comeback, having also been considered by LOUD at the end of 2024.

Despite his competitive hiatus, he continues to be regarded as one of the most capable midlaners at the Tier 2 level in the EMEA region. Yet, after having conquered the second level of the EMEA scene multiple times, SAKEN has yet to find a project compelling enough to prompt a genuine return.