Sources: APA set to join Cloud9 following Loki's departure

APA

APA will be the eight midlaner of Cloud9 in seven years

Midlaner Eain "APA" Stearns will join Cloud9 for the 2026 LCS year, sources tell Sheep Esports. This decision follows C9's announcement of Lee "Loki" Sang-min's departure for personal reasons.

Under contract with Cloud9 until 2027, Korean midlaner Loki had expressed his desire to return to his family in South Korea. A choice that the organization respected and thus decided to release him from his contract. To replace him, the team chose to fall back on APA after he was released from his contract by Team Liquid as previously reported by Sheep Esports. During the offseason, APA also explored options in the LEC.

A change with a lot of impact?

Despite failing to qualify for Worlds, Cloud9 did not look to change its roster much for next year. The team has decided to retain its entire roster, with the main change being the appointment of a new head coach. Bok "Reapered" Han-gyu, who recently joined Karmine Corp, was replaced by one of his assistants, Nick "Inero" Smith, whom the organization announced at the beginning of October.

Loki's departure was not planned by Cloud9, who had to explore the market to find a replacement. The midlane is a role where change often needs to happen at Cloud9. We have to go back to Yasin "Nisqy" Dinçer (2019-2020) to see a midlaner string together two seasons within the American organization.

A good landing spot for APA

After joining Team Liquid in 2023, APA gradually established himself as one of the best midlaners in the region. In 2024, he was voted Most Improved Player and made it to the All-Pro Team of the summer. A distinction he received after Team Liquid's victory in the Spring split and their final in the Summer. This year, despite the season starting well with a victory at the LTA Cross-Conference, sending them to the First Stand. But from there, things get complicated. With disappointing performances, Team Liquid fails to qualify for MSI and Worlds. APA's declining performance leads its team to decide to part ways with him after three seasons.

While Team Liquid chose Lim "Quid" Hyeon-seung to replace him, APA has already found a new destination by joining C9. Like his former team, APA will try to help C9 get back on the path to Worlds, a competition the team hasn't participated in since 2023.