Cloud9 releases Licorice and Rapidstar from roster, welcoming Fudge to Top Lane

Top-performing NA team Cloud9 has recently made some shocking changes, including the release of long-time Head Coach Bok “Reapered” Han-Gyu. Unfortunately for many fans, this is also the end of the road for their famed Top Laner, Eric “Licorice” Ritchie.

(Picture: Cloud9)

Cloud9 plans to continue their top lane with Academy player Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami.

Originall from the Oceanic region, Fudge has been playing with Cloud9 this March. He has been developing his skills, especially after helping his team defeat TSM’s and Evil Geniuses’ Academy teams in important matches.

Notably, Fudge played for Australian team MAMMOTH until his departure early this year. In 2019, MAMMOTH secured a victory in the OPL 2019 split 2 playoffs. Overall, his professional history shows determination and skill, proven by his back-to-back wins throughout the last two years.

Ever since Reapered decided to leave Cloud9, fans have speculated on who would take his place, and when the change will happen. According to the organization’s statement, retired professional League of Legends player and current Academy coach Kim “Reignover” Yeu-jin will take Reapered’s place.

• Read more: Overwatch star Gamsu announces return to League of Legends

Unfortunately for Reignover, he’ll be temporarily left without an Assistant Coach, as C9 said their farewells to Jung “RapidStar” Min-Sung. As an integral member of the team since 2018, RapidStar will be leaving the organization to fulfill his mandatory military service in South Korea.

Today we part ways with assistant League of Legends coach @MinseongJeong1. He has been an integral part of our coaching staff, and we are so grateful for all his hard work.

We wish you all the best!
📃 https://t.co/rBDjhsLZHn pic.twitter.com/yWwlHftqnF

— Cloud9 (@Cloud9) October 20, 2020

Eric was the key element of #C9LoL's success over the years and we couldn't be more proud of him. Memories, titles, and records were broken while performing under the Cloud9 banner and they will never be forgotten.

Wishing you the best of luck wherever you land! 💙

— Cloud9 (@Cloud9) October 19, 2020

Licorice has stated that the roster change is a “part of being a pro” and thanked the team for having him. He shared his sentiments over Twitter, receiving many mixed responses from C9 and LCS fans. 

Still the best top laner in the league in my books & will be a huge addition to whatever team grabs you.

GL dude!

— Isaac CB (@RiotAzael) October 19, 2020

It actually makes a lot of sense if you consider that fudge won’t count as import anymore. He’s really good on toplane carries which appears to be and will be meta and might have been a weaker point of C9.

— therryy🍕 (@therryy_) October 20, 2020

After playing with C9 since November 2017, it’s clear that this news has upset many fans, especially after C9’s strong Spring split this year. Fortunately, not all is lost, as Licorice shared that he’ll be able to be bought out after free-agency begins on November 16 at 7 PM ET.