Nam "Lira" Tae-yoo, who made his League of Legends Tier 1 debut in 2015 on Rebels Anarchy, is set to start as Dignitas's jungler in the LTA North Conference, according to Sheep Esports sources. Though Lira was signed as a positional coach and substitute jungler, an investigation into the behavior of starting jungler Jade "Sheiden" Libu delayed his visa. Lira will play in the LTA until Dignitas can field their full intended roster with Sheiden.
Sheiden, who has drawn controversy for years due to purported behavioral violations in solo queue, had to be cleared by a joint investigation conducted by Riot and Dignitas before he was allowed to sign. Visas for Canadian citizens are usually easily obtained, but the ongoing investigation — which concluded earlier this month — delayed the start of Sheiden's visa process significantly. By the time Sheiden was approved to play, it became clear that a substitute jungler would be necessary.
In the years after retiring as a professional player, Lira was an on-air analyst on the LCK broadcast, an analyst and coach for Afreeca Freecs, and a color caster on the LCK broadcast — now, nearly a decade after his Tier 1 League of Legends debut, he's set to play on-stage once again.
Lira gained notoriety in the North American scene after joining the LCS on Team EnVyUs in 2017 — in his first split, though his team ended in 10th place, he was given first team All-Pro honors. Following two years with Clutch Gaming, seeing varied results until qualifying for Worlds in 2019, Lira left NA to compete in Korea. Interestingly, since Dignitas acquired CG before his departure, Lira's new coaching position marks his return to the organization after five years.
Dignitas roster for LTA North Split 1:
