Sheep Esports – Sources: Jopa set to affix SK Gaming in LEC

AD Carry Josip “Jopa” Čančar is ready to affix SK Gaming for the 2026 season after collaborating in tryouts with the group. The 22-year-old Croatian expertise will make his LEC debut following two years with Vitality.Bee within the LFL. During the offseason, he was additionally thought of by Team Heretics and his former group, Team Vitality. This data was shared with Sheep Esports by sources on Sunday.

With this transfer, SK Gaming turns into the primary crew to finalize its full roster for the 2026 LEC season. The group’s early completion was made potential by prioritizing gamers who weren’t depending on different groups’ roster selections. The core trio of Martin “Wunder” Hansen, Adam “Lider” Ilyasov, and Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle had agreed to play collectively no matter outdoors affords, whereas jungler Duncan “Skeanz” Marquet was wanting to re-sign with the crew.

Before deciding on Jopa as their most well-liked possibility, SK Gaming examined a number of AD Carries from the ERLs, together with Thomas “3XA” Foucou (Karmine Corp Blue) and Villas “Vizzpers” Burkal Stadager (CITA Kaizen). Former Mikyx teammate Patrik “Patrik” Jírů was additionally among the many gamers thought of. The group even explored candidates from South Korea, however in the end determined to prioritize Jopa, finishing a totally European lineup.

While some followers have criticized SK for reuniting a bunch of veteran gamers, together with some who’ve been inactive over the previous yr, including one of the promising AD Carries from the ERL scene might show to be a sensible transfer — injecting youthful motivation and aggressive drive into an in any other case skilled roster.

For his half, Jopa lastly makes it to the LEC after years of combating for a spot within the main European league. Over the previous two years, the Croatian participant was among the many greatest gamers in his place within the LFL in Vitality. Bee. In 2024, he notably had an excellent season with the bees, ending as a finalist within the EMEA Masters throughout the Summer break up and successful the Coupe de France together with his crew on the finish of the season.

But whereas his teammates Kaan “Naak Nako” Okan and Mateusz “Czajek” Czajka are supplied a spot on the LEC roster, the AD Carry continues to be biding his time. Despite a tough 2025 season when it comes to collective outcomes, Jopa continues to shine and stands out because the crew’s predominant satisfaction. He will due to this fact uncover the LEC for the primary time at SK Gaming.

With one of many lowest budgets within the league, the selection of a rookie appears constant for SK Gaming to accompany the extra skilled gamers on the roster. Now full for 2025, the crew will practice from its headquarters in Cologne subsequent yr.