Misfits sign KaKAO, completing 2017 roster

The newest team in the EU LCS has just made one of the biggest signings of the offseason — in name, at least. Fresh off promotion from the Challenger Series, Misfits has signed Korean jungler Byung-kwon “KaKAO” Lee, the team announced Tuesday. The move comes just a few days after signing mid laner Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage.

The 20-year-old KaKAO first burst onto the scene with KT Rolster, playing with the organization from 2012 through 2014. After an excellent Season 4, he was one of many Korean players to leave the LCK for China, joining up with Invictus Gaming in December 2014, but he struggled in his time in China.

With KaKAO on the roster, Invictus Gaming finished in third place in both the spring and summer LPL playoffs, but qualified for Worlds 2015 through the Regional Finals. Like the other Chinese teams in the tournament, however, IG disappointed, going 2-4 and getting knocked out in the group stage.

KaKAO left Invictus Gaming after Worlds, not playing with any competitive team in Spring before signing with LSPL (the Chinese equivalent of the Challenger Series) squad WYDream. With KaKAO and former KT Rolster mid laner Sang-moon “Nagne” Kim, WYDream still only finished tied for ninth place out of 14 teams after a 12-14 regular season record.

With young prospects on the roster like Barney “Alphari” Morris and Steven “Hans Sama” Liv, expectations were already high for Misfits. Now with KaKAO joining fellow Korean import Dong-geun “IgNar” Lee, the team has one of the most talented rosters on-paper in all of Europe. That is, unless KaKAO plays like he did in China last year — if that’s the case, Misfits could have a long season ahead.

With the signing, this appears to be Misfits’ final 2017 Spring roster:

• Top: Barney “Alphari” Morris
• Jungle: Byung-kwon “KaKAO” Lee
• Mid: Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage
• AD Carry: Steven “Hans Sama” Liv
• Support: Dong-geun “IgNar” Lee