This acquisition follows the departure of head coach Ilias “Enatron” Theodorou after a challenging spring split where Dignitas showed potential but struggled with consistency.
Spica’s journey in the LCS has been marked by significant highs and challenging lows.
As a dynamic young jungler, he made a substantial impact with TSM, helping them secure the 2020 LCS Summer Split title and earning the MVP title in the 2021 LCS Summer Split.
Despite his remarkable individual performances, TSM failed to secure a Worlds spot.
Spica found himself sidelined for the 2024 Spring Split due to recent league downsizing, turning to full-time streaming with FlyQuest during this period.
Dignitas’s decision to bring Spica on board is a strategic move aimed at revitalizing their roster and improving gameplay dynamics.
With the departure of Enatron, the team needed talent and experience.
Spica, known for his aggressive playstyle and deep game understanding, is expected to fill this gap.
Lawrence “Exyu” Xu, the current Dignitas jungler, expressed his surprise at the roster change.
In a post on X, he mentioned that he was told less than two weeks ago that he would be starting for the Summer Split.
nothing in esports is guaranteed
less than 2 weeks ago I was reassured by my gm and head coach that I was a lock for the upcoming LCS split.
we were supposed to start scrims in 4 days and I've just been told I won't be on the roster
not sure what i plan on doing yet 1/2
— eXyu (@lol_eXyu) May 21, 2024
With Spica’s arrival, Exyu has announced his departure from Dignitas and indicated plans to join an NACL team, while also returning to Berkeley in the fall.
Spica’s return to pro play with Dignitas follows his stint with FlyQuest last year.
Despite high expectations due to the presence of LCK imports like Lee “VicLa” Dae-kwang and Lee “Prince” Chae-hwan, FlyQuest underperformed in the 2023 Summer Split, finishing ninth.
Afterward, Spica took a break from competitive play and became a content creator for FlyQuest.
Dignitas’s roster for the summer split now appears significantly strengthened on paper.
The team finished in the top six last split with a lineup considered weak by many, so expectations are higher with these new additions.
Spica joins a team of veterans, including former Golden Guardians player Eric “Licorice” Ritchie and former Cloud9 player Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen, aiming to climb the ranks and challenge the dominance of established teams.
As the LCS gears up for an exciting summer, all eyes will be on Dignitas to see if this new roster, with Spica at its core, can turn potential into performance.
This move marks a critical step in Dignitas’s journey to regain prominence in the LCS landscape.
]]>Although the franchise has spent a significant amount of time as an underdog in the LCS, it will be entering the new season with a roster of top talent. The new roster will see the team field a couple of Korea’s fast-rising talents, a top LCS Academy prospect and a few LCS veterans.
Spica, a former league MVP, will be joining forces with the well-known Jeong “Impact” Eon-young to create a formidable top-side combination. The move comes after an indifferent year with TSM, finishing in the bottom five during the regular season in two consecutive splits. Despite this, Spica is still considered one of the top junglers in the league and will work to regain his position among the likes of Robert “Blaber” Huang, Kacper “Inspired” S?oma, Can “Closer” ?elik, and Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyeon.
Impact, on the other hand, comes to the team after a successful 2022 season with Evil Geniuses. He won a championship, and achieved a top-four finish at the 2022 Mid-Season Invitational, as well as securing a top-three finish at the LoL World Championship.
Additionally, FlyQuest had earlier acquired the services of two rising stars from Korea — the 2022 Rookie of the Year, and the most recent Co-Player of the Split in the LoL Champions Korea (LCK). Former KT Rolster mid laner Lee “VicLa” Dae-kwang will be joining forces with star AD carry Lee “Prince” Chae-hwan as they strive to reach the summit in a new region.
VicLa, 19, has been widely regarded as a top-tier prospect in the LCK. Despite his young age, he has demonstrated a fearless and aggressive playstyle, making decisive moves to secure victory for his team.
Prince, 22, was one of the most effective marksmen in the LCK during the summer season. He led the league in kills and contributed 38.4% of his team’s total kills during the season.
One of the most significant unknowns may lie within the support position. Bill “Eyla” Nguyen, who has spent the past two years in the LCS Academy scene, was instrumental in guiding TLA to consecutive Proving Grounds victories, and now has his sights set on achieving success in the top flight.
Furthermore, FlyQuest have enlisted the expertise of former DRX coach Kim ��Ssong�� Sang-soo to provide strategic direction for the team.
The complete roster consists of the new signings jungler Spica, top laner Impact, mid laner VicLa, bot laner Prince and support Eyla joining Philip “Philip” Zeng, who has been with the team since the spring.
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Spica will be joining the North American franchise after a two-year run with TSM. Although his contract was due to expire this month, he was released outright by the organization after the conclusion of the LoL Championship Series (LCS) Summer Split in September.
[Sources] Jungler Spica
has reached a verbal agreement with FlyQuest in the LCS today. pic.twitter.com/PLoLkRIPbS
— ?L?E?C? LCS Wooloo
(@LEC_Wooloo) November 21, 2022
The early release afforded Spica total freedom to explore the market as an unrestricted free agent. His exploration has apparently brought him to the doorstep of the FlyQuest.
Former FlyQuest jungler Josedeodo, whom Spica is expected to replace, was given permission by the team to entertain other options early in November. With the free agency period now in full swing, he should land a new team in the coming weeks.
FlyQuest recently made a change to their front office with the recruitment of Chris ��PapaSmithy�� Smith as President and Chief Gaming Officer. PapaSmithy joined the franchise after three years as General Manager of 100 Thieves.
“Please welcome our new President and Chief Gaming Officer Chris ‘@PapaSmithy’ Smith!�� FlyQuest announced.
��A legendary figure in the scene, we are excited to bring him on board to help build the future of FlyQuest.��
Since qualifying for the 2020 LoL World Championship after consecutive LCS finals appearances, FlyQuest have endured a poor run of form in the past two seasons. With the appointment of PapaSmithy, all players have been allowed to explore other options as the team heads for a total overhaul.
Along with Spica, FlyQuest have also been linked to a possible agreement with LOL veteran Jeong “Impact” Eon-yeong. The top laner was recently released by Evil Geniuses and is currently an unrestricted free agent.
The FlyQuest roster is still missing players in several positions, including the carry roles in the mid lane and the ADC position. With the 2022 roster being dismantled, French mid laner Lo?c “toucouille” Dubois is on course to return home to the LFL competition.
FlyQuest have reportedly inquired about the possibility of adding T1 mid laner Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok to the squad. The 26-year-old Korean star recently entered free agency.
]]>The North American esports team made the decision after they lost to Evil Geniuses during the 2022 LCS Championship.
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Due to the team��s decision, Spica is now an unrestricted free agent, moving into the next transfer window of the League of Legends professional esports scene.
Between the start of his pro gaming career with TSM in 2019 and his release time, Spica participated in 166 games.
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The MVP of the 2021 Spring Split made the announcement himself on September 6 via his Twitter page. Spica revealed he was free to converse with other League of Legends before the 2023 season. He did not specify whether another team had contacted him yet.
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“TSM has terminated my contract, so I am a free agent, effective today,” the 21-year-old wrote.
“Thanks to all the fans for the four years of overwhelming support. I��m excited for what��s coming next.”
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The previous North American champion had been with the team from 2019 until the most recent announcement to take him off the lineup. He started in TSM��s Academy lineup and played during the NA Academy 2019 Summer, where he finished in fourth place.
Spica moved to the team��s main roster in August that year and participated in the LCS 2019 Summer in the tournament��s final week as well as the summer post season playoff series.
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TSM notably missed the playoffs for the 2022 spring split and, in the championship, finished fifth-sixth place which may have tipped their hand in delisting Spica.