Last-place Phoenix1 makes splash signing with Korean support Fixer

Phoenix1’s first season as a League of Legends team has gotten off to a rocky start. Thrust into the North American LCS at the last minute by buying Team Impulse’s spot literally a week before the season started, the organization was forced to throw together a ragtag roster based on what players were still available. Basically, they had the last pick of North American talent, only signing players after every other team in the league had completed their rosters.

We’re more than halfway through the season, and Phoenix1 is 1-9 and in last place, after picking up its first win of the season this past week against Apex Gaming. And despite the bottom lane being arguably the strongest point of the roster, Phoenix1 has brought in a new support with a pretty flashy signing: former KT Rolster starter Jae-woo “Fixer” Jung, the team announced in a release Thursday. Fixer will have to be approved by Riot and get a visa approved before being able to play on stage.

Fixer started his professional career in 2014 with Incredible Miracle 2 under the name “Ondal”, but after a poor season he was benched. He changed his name to Fixer and joined KT Rolster as the backup to Seung-chan “Hachani” Ha. When Hachani requested time off in February 2015, Fixer suddenly found himself as the starting support for one of the best teams in Korean League of Legends.

KT Rolster just barely missed the playoffs that split, finishing in fifth place, and the team brought in Jong-beom “Piccaboo” Lee to join Fixer as a co-starter at support for the Summer Split.

Piccaboo and Fixer split time during that split — Piccaboo played 23 games, Fixer played 21. But by the time postseason play came around, it was clear KT favored Piccaboo. He played all 12 playoff games and all 10 games at Worlds as Fixer sat on the bench. Both players left KT Rolster after Worlds, and neither has played competitively since.

Now, Fixer gets his chance for a career reboot in North America with Phoenix1. As he said in the team’s press release, it’s a new opportunity he’s excited for.

"To come outside my comfort zone to a foreign country is daunting,” he said. “But joining a really good team feels incredible. I am thrilled. I really want to show how good I am.”

Fixer will join former Team Impulse starter Austin “Gate” Yu, who has started every game for Phoenix1 this season, as one of two supports on the roster. That’s two different options to pair with AD Carry Brandon “Mash” Phan, another former TIP starter who has been a bright spot for the team this split.

"I'm excited that we're adding another dimension to our bot lane," said Mash in the release. "Having two support players will allow us to be more diverse in our playstyles and champion pools. I'm looking forward to playing alongside him."

Phoenix1 will face fellow 1-9 team Echo Fox this week, as well as two-time defending North American champions Counter Logic Gaming. You can find the full week’s schedule here.