Sheep Esports - Sources: Palafox set to join Dignitas

Dignitas Palafox

Palafox will play his sixth year in LCS

A new undead joins one of North America’s oldest organizations. At 26 years old, Cristian “Palafox” Palafox will play yet another year in the LCS, joining Dignitas ahead of the 2026 season, according to sources close to Sheep Esports. This will mark the fifth organization the American midlaner has joined in his career.

In 2025, he was part of Shopify Rebellion, the league’s most surprising roster, which came tantalizingly close to becoming the third North American team to qualify for Worlds. The team finished third in Split 3 before being upset by RED Canids (2–3) in the LTA Championship playoffs. Next year, Palafox will be replaced on Shopify Rebellion by Yoo “Zinie” Baek-jin, as previously reported by Sheep Esports.

Dignitas has chosen Palafox over 19-year-old rookie Alex “Toasty” Chea, who is currently evaluating opportunities across several NA Tier 2 teams as well as G2 Esports’ new academy team in the ERLs.

Statistics don't lie

From a purely statistical standpoint, Palafox’s 2025 season in the LTA with Shopify Rebellion was a tough one. Among the nine mid laners who played in LTA North this year — a group that saw Isaac “DARKWINGS” Chou replace Felix “Abbedagge” Braun mid-season — Palafox ranked eighth in nearly every major category: KDA (2.82), gold difference at 15 minutes (-128.8), XP difference at 15 minutes (-98.4), and damage per minute (613.1). He also struggled in farming, posting the lowest CS per minute in the league (8.15).

With his arrival, the Dignitas roster continues to take shape. After Kyeong “Photon” Gyu-tae and Lee “IgNar” Dong-geun were the first two players locked in, the organization is once again betting on veteran profiles — establishing itself once more as something of a refuge for experienced talent. Under head coach Simon “Swiffer” Papamarkos, Dignitas enters 2026 as one of the most enigmatic projects in the LCS. For reference, the team’s best finish in the league since its debut in 2013 remains fourth place.