Sources: Palafox reaches verbal agreement to join Shopify Rebellion

Cristian "Palafox" Palafox has reached a verbal agreement to play for Shopify Rebellion in the LTA North next year, according to Sheep Esports sources. With NRG leaving the league less than two years after joining, Palafox and Juan Arturo "Contractz" Garcia — the highlight mid-jungle duo who became LCS champions in Summer 2023 — were left unexpectedly teamless. In the offseason, the two players were hoping to play together again this year — if the team works out, they could redeem themselves after a disappointing 2024 season.

Shopify's first choice was Yasin "Nisqy" Dinçer, a former LCS champion who reached a verbal agreement with the team earlier in the offseason, but Nisqy broke his verbal with the team and decided to take a break from competition.

DSG briefly considered Cristian "Palafox" Palafox during the offseason before ultimately joined Shopify Rebellion. Shopify had pivoted to domestic talent after Nisqy canceled his verbal agreement. DSG, meanwhile, signed former LCS champion midlaner Felix “Abbedagge” Braun, focusing their efforts elsewhere without pursuing Palafox.

With Abbedagge's deadline to break his verbal agreement with BIG set for Oct. 31, and after realizing that Palafox was not a realistic option for the team, DSG signed the European player on the last day his agreement permitted.

For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub.