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The VCT transfer window kicked into overdrive right after Masters London, with four major roster moves hitting in under 48 hours. BerLIN and Ben1Ley left FPX, stew parted ways with JDG, and Virtyy entered free agency, all with Champions Shanghai on the horizon.
Four major VCT roster moves landed in less than 48 hours after Masters London 🔥. BerLIN and Ben1Ley left FunPlus Phoenix on the same day, stew departed JDG after two-plus years, and LOUD released Virtyy to free agency. Here's the full breakdown before Champions Shanghai.
FunPlus Phoenix made two back-to-back moves on June 24, leaving the team with only three active players. BerLIN, their Controller and a four-year veteran of the org, was transferred to JDG Esports. Hours later, Ben1Ley, who had only joined FPX three months prior as a sScary replacement, was sent to Rare Atom.
FPX's 2025 was rough, and Stage 1 2026 brought more of the same. The back-to-back departures signal a deliberate reset rather than two coincidental moves. Expect more changes from FPX before Champions Shanghai.
BerLIN's transfer to JDG is the cleanest move of the four: JDG lost a controller, FPX's veteran controller is available, deal done. He steps directly into the slot vacated by stew's departure, bringing top-level experience at a team that has struggled to find consistency.
His resume speaks for itself. BerLIN was part of FPX's Masters Shanghai 2024 victory, playing Controller across their title run. At JDG, paired with Yuicaw as Duelist and a team trending toward a full Chinese roster, he has the chance to show that experience still converts at this level.
Curious how the VCT Masters London results are already reshaping the field? This move is exhibit A.
Shi "Ben1Ley" Benyu joined FPX after the Kickoff event and lasted around three months. He switches to Rare Atom (currently ranked #5 in China), a squad with a real shot at one of the four non-VCT team invitations to Champions Shanghai Stage 2 Play-ins.
Rare Atom is a three-time China Ascension participant that has been knocking on the door of the biggest stages. Ben1Ley, who transitioned from Controller to Reyna during his FPX stint, joins "Potter and friends" with a more competitive environment around him 📈.
Park "stew" Young-chan officially left JDG on June 22, ending a partnership that began in January 2024 when JDG acquired the Rare Atom core for China's first partnership season. He had been with the team longer than any of these four players had been with their respective organizations.
stew's individual performances were not the problem. He posted the joint-highest rating among Chinese VCT players and the top ACS in Stage 2 2025. The issue was team results: JDG managed only seven league wins over two seasons with zero playoff victories. With his import slot now open and JDG shifting toward a full Chinese lineup, the split makes sense on both sides. Korean teams are reportedly in the picture, but continuing in China is also on the table.
© Riot Games / VCT 2026
Leandro "Virtyy" Moreno is now an unrestricted free agent, still under LOUD's contract but free to negotiate with any team without requiring a buyout. His statement said it cleanly: "Not my best year or performances, still feel like I have a lot to prove... open to all regions."
Virtyy joined LOUD midway through VCT 2025 Americas Stage 2 but couldn't lock down consistent performances over the year that followed. LOUD moves him to the inactive roster ahead of Americas Stage 2, which starts July 16. His no-buyout status makes him an accessible option for teams in any region looking for a flex fragger.
Four moves in 48 hours, all pointing at one destination: Champions Shanghai (September 2026). JDG upgrades their controller slot with a proven winner. FPX begins what looks like a structural rebuild. Rare Atom adds firepower to their Play-in push. And both stew and Virtyy are high-profile free agents who could land anywhere.
The VCT 2027 format overhaul means roster decisions this offseason carry extra weight. Teams have less margin for error than in previous years. Track the field and stay sharp on the meta heading into Shanghai at Amber.gg's Valorant section. Ready to put your reads to the test? Compete on Amber.gg.
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