Faker re-signs with SKT after ‘unprecedented offer,’ Bengi and Duke leave

Two-time defending world champions SK Telecom T1 have re-signed four of their starters and two coaches, including mid laner Sang-hyeok “Faker” Lee and head coach Jung-gyun “kkOma” Kim, the team announced on Facebook Monday.

Also being retained are Sun-gu “Blank” Kang, one of two junglers used last season, and the bottom lane duo of Jun-sik “Bang” Bae and Jae-wan “Wolf” Lee. But SKT is parting ways with two key players: starting top laner Ho-seong “Duke” Lee and three-time world champion jungler Seong-woong “Bengi” Bae.

OSEN, a South Korean esports site, reports Faker received an “unprecedented offer” to stay, according to a translation from The Score. According to Inven’s translation of SKT’s press release, he was offered the best contract in esports history. Widely considered the best player in League history, Faker has spent his entire career with SKT.

The release also notes Bengi and Duke will be looking for foreign teams, and that SKT intends to sign new players in the top lane and the jungle.

It’s building up to be what could be a difficult split for the defending champions, as rivals KT Rolster have signed two of the top available free agents and seem poised to build a super team. But SKT may have some tricks of its own up its sleeve: rumors have pointed to former ROX jungler Wang-ho “Peanut” Han as a potential target.