by JD Gaming’s Mid Laner, Zhuo “knight” Ding, has bid farewell to the Chinese organization after a year of competitive play, marking a significant departure ahead of the 2024 League of Legends Pro League (LPL) season.
「JDG .Announcement」
Today, we bid farewell to Knight.
As a cornerstone player in our last campaign, his highlight reel of outplays and the 3 titles in one year will remain forever in JDG's history book.
We appreciate his contribution and wish him continued success. pic.twitter.com/mbNYCfp7zl
— JD Gaming (@JDGaming) December 2, 2023
Despite achieving three trophies in 2023, JDG experienced a disappointing conclusion to the year, leading to a notable shakeup within the roster.
This includes the departure of Top Laner Bai “369” Jia-Hao, who returned to Top Esports for the 2024 season.
The team’s recent implosion leaves them with only three remaining superstars, including Support Lou “MISSING” Yun-Feng, who is expected to stay until at least November 2024 based on his contract expiration.
However, uncertainties surround the future of Jungler Seo “Kanavi” Jin-hyeok and AD Carry Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk, as both of their contracts have already expired.
The fate of JDG’s remaining players remains uncertain, raising questions about the organization’s willingness and ability to retain them.
JDG’s roster, assembled with significant resources and potential, was intended for triumph, having won both LPL Playoffs and Mid-Season Invitational.
However, the high expectations and investment rendered the team’s setbacks too costly.
Zhuo “knight” Ding, known as a ‘1v9’ machine for his mechanical brilliance and carry potential, now finds himself in the realm of free agency, akin to compatriot Song “Rookie” Eui-jin.
Despite JDG falling short of their goals, knight’s status as one of the best Mid Lane players globally ensures that he is unlikely to remain team-less for long.
In a parallel development, Top Esports has seen the departure of Song “Rookie” Eei-jin after a moderately successful 2023 season.
[TOPESPORTS'Announcement]
After full and friendly communication between the TES and the Rookie, we announce that we part ways with Rookie.
Thanks to Rookie for his dedication to the team. We always look forward to meeting you next time on the match.#ToTheTop pic.twitter.com/Nar2QibPBG
— TOPESPORTS (@TOP_Esports_) December 2, 2023
While the 26-year-old Mid Laner and TES could not secure an international performance, his departure hints at a potential rebuild for the organization.
This follows the departure of previous Mid Laner Zhuo “knight” Ding, who left TES in 2022 to join JD Gaming.
TES, once a formidable force in competitive League of Legends, has faced a decline in recent years, with their last notable international appearance in 2020.
With the departure of Rookie and the expiration of contracts for several long-standing players, including Top Laner Huang “Wayward” Ren-Xing and Jungler Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang, TES’s roster is in a state of flux.
The only secured talent as of now is AD Carry star Yu “JackeyLove” Wen-Bo.
Rookie’s departure from TES, considering his status as one of the best League of Legends players of all time, raises intriguing possibilities for the LPL teams in the off-season.
As news circulates about knight leaving JDG, the potential for Rookie to follow in his footsteps and join a new team adds an additional layer of excitement and speculation to the ongoing off-season discussions in the LPL.
