Look Sports Media – Fnatic has officially unveiled Vladimiros ‘Vladi’ Kourtidis as their latest marquee acquisition for the upcoming League of Legends European Championship (LEC) 2026 season. The signing of the Greek mid-lane sensation signals a bold statement of intent from the storied organization, aiming to reignite their competitive fire and reclaim their place atop the European hierarchy.
Kourtidis arrives with a formidable pedigree, having spearheaded Karmine Corp’s triumphant run in LEC Winter 2025. His stellar performance not only secured the title but also etched his name into the history books as the second-youngest midlaner to claim an LEC championship, a feat only surpassed by the legendary Rasmus ‘Caps’ Winther. The 20-year-old prodigy’s exceptional play throughout that split earned him the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, cementing his status as one of the region’s brightest talents.
Yet, the latter half of 2025 presented a stark contrast. Kourtidis’s individual performance saw a noticeable decline, mirroring Karmine Corp’s struggles, which ultimately culminated in their failure to secure a spot at the prestigious League of Legends World Championship. Whispers of burnout began to circulate among the fanbase, fueled by reports of Vladi’s staggering workload – reportedly over 2,000 League of Legends games played in the preceding season alone. Compounding these concerns were public incidents involving heated exchanges with Karmine Corp supporters and candid remarks from LEC broadcaster Laure Valée, who openly acknowledged his visible struggles with mental well-being.
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Fnatic fans will undoubtedly be hoping the organization can cultivate an environment where Vladi feels empowered to rediscover his peak form and unleash his full potential. In his inaugural interview with his new team, Vladi himself expressed these aspirations. "I’m looking forward to playing again on stage and showing what I can do, because I think the last splits I didn’t really show myself or my true potential," he stated. "And mostly, I want to break the Fnatic curse because I think it’s a very historical org. And I also think this roster has a lot of potential."
The "Fnatic curse" Vladi refers to is a heavy one; it has been over seven years since the black and orange last hoisted a trophy, a period stretching back to when the LEC was still known as the EU LCS. The new LEC Versus tournament format, with its condensed schedule, offers precious little time for new rosters to forge synergy and find their rhythm. Despite this challenge, Vladi remains unequivocally confident, asserting, "I think we’ll do great things as a group."
The full reported Fnatic LEC Versus roster, though the botlane is yet to be officially confirmed, paints an intriguing picture:
- Top Lane: Empyros, a promising rookie from Gentle Mates, will join Vladi as another Greek sololaner.
- Jungle: Veteran Razork is set to embark on his fifth year with the organization, a move reportedly influenced by Vladi’s desire to play alongside him. Their potential synergy could form a formidable core.
- Mid Lane: Vladi, the centerpiece of this new iteration.
- ADC: Upset is widely expected to extend his contract, making him the sole remaining member from the 2025 squad alongside Razork.
- Support: Lospa, a Korean talent who honed his skills in Gen.G’s academy system and competed for GIANTX Pride in the ERLs last season, is slated to complete the lineup.
This revamped Fnatic roster, blending seasoned veterans with fresh talent and a proven, albeit recently challenged, superstar in Vladi, sets the stage for a captivating 2026 season. The esports world watches with bated breath to see if this new chapter can finally break the long-standing curse and usher in a new era of dominance for Fnatic.
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