World champs Darker and jawgemo set to jump ship for 2027 VCT season

Darker’s departure shakes LOUD’s throne

Colombian sharpshooter Sebastián “Darker” Castro Cicuamia is reportedly heading to KRÜ Esports for the 2027 VALORANT Champions Tour.

Darker helped LOUD clinch its second VALORANT world title in Shanghai, becoming the first Colombian to lift the Champions trophy and finishing runner‑up at VCT Americas Stage 2 earlier in the year.

Champions‑2026 MVP Roberto “erde” Lobos and duelist Lucca “lukxo” Travaioli have verbally agreed to join Argentine outfit Leviatán, while the future of loaned player Enzo “tkzin” Zimiani remains disputed.

Vitality’s search for a new duelist

Across the Atlantic, Team Vitality is poised to replace Finnish duelist Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev, who left the French squad on Oct 24 after a runner‑up finish at VALORANT Champions 2026. Derke signed with Aurora Gaming’s newly announced roster on Oct 28, prompting Vitality to hunt for a fresh firepower.

Sheep Esports’ Alejandro “Anonimotum” Gomis reports that Vitality has reached a verbal agreement with 2023 world champion Alexander “jawgemo” Mor. The former Evil Geniuses star, who later spent two seasons with G2 Esports, would fill the duelist slot vacated by Derke.

Jawgemo’s résumé includes a Champions 2023 title, semifinal runs at Masters Santiago and Champions Shanghai in 2026, and a 2‑0 upper‑bracket loss to Vitality at the Shanghai playoffs before G2 fell to 100 Thieves. If the transfer materialises, he will join a Vitality line‑up that already features Elias “Jamppi” Olkkonen, Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov, Ștefan “Sayonara” Mîtcu and Dawid “PROFEK” Święć.

What the moves mean for the 2027 landscape

Vitality’s 2026 run was a roller‑coaster: after a shaky start, the team surged at Champions Shanghai, dispatching Nongshim RedForce, G2 and 100 Thieves before falling 3‑1 to LOUD in the grand final.