Jojopyun expected to leave Movistar KOI as offseason heats up

Jojopyun, the Canadian mid laner who rewrote the history books by becoming the first North American resident to compete and win a title in the League of Legends European Championship, is reportedly set to leave Movistar KOI. The 21-year-old is expected to join a North American team as the professional League of Legends offseason kicks into high gear.

From rookie sensation to LEC champion

Jojopyun’s trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. He debuted professionally in 2022 and immediately earned LCS Rookie of the Year honors, announcing himself as one of the most promising mid laners in North America.

After a strong stint with Cloud9 in 2024, he made the surprising decision to cross the Atlantic. On December 6, 2024, he officially joined Movistar KOI for the 2025 season. Jojopyun became the first NA player ever to compete in the LEC, and then proceeded to do something no one from his region had done before: win a European title. In the Spring 2025 finals, Movistar KOI defeated G2 Esports to claim the championship.

Why leave now?

Jojopyun’s contract with Movistar KOI doesn’t expire until November 16, 2026. That means any move would require either a buyout or a mutual agreement to part ways, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.

Movistar KOI had retained much of its roster heading into 2026 after proving competitive in the LEC. Losing their mid laner, the player who helped deliver their Spring 2025 title, would represent a significant blow to the organization’s competitive ambitions.

The bigger picture for NA and EU talent flow

For years, the narrative was simple: Europe develops talent, North America buys it. Jojopyun flipped that script. An NA-developed player went to Europe, contributed to a championship-winning roster, and proved that the talent gap between the regions isn’t as wide as the memes suggest.

The offseason is still unfolding, and nothing has been officially confirmed by either Jojopyun or Movistar KOI. But the reports point in a clear direction. One of the most interesting cross-regional stories in recent League of Legends history may be entering its next chapter, this time back on North American soil.

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