TSM announced via their official Twitter account that are dropping their 2021 starting support player, Hu “SwordArt” Shuo-chieh. The star support player made waves in the LCS before he ever step foot on the LCS stage. After an incredible year with Suning Gaming, TSM signed SwordArt with a $6 million contract.
SwordArt’s move to North America marked the highest paid contract in League of Legends esports history. This incredibly lucrative deal even beat out Cloud9’s contract that secured the G2 midlaner Luka “Perkz” Perkovic.
In his sole year on TSM, SwordArt unfortunately saw middling results. The team finished third at the Mid-Season Showdown, defeated by Team Liquid. In the Summer Split Playoffs, TSM barely missed Worlds 2021 after they were knocked out by their perennial rivals in Cloud9.
Now firmly in the offseason, TSM has already overhauled their roster. After Soren “Bjergsen” Bjergsen decided to return to professional play, but not one TSM, it seems no one on the roster has a sure spot. Nothing has been announced regarding the other four members of the 2021 starting roster, however SwordArt’s departure may be the first of many offseason moves.
For SwordArt, the future is unclear. The star support player’s residency is still in the PCS, where he played for countless years on Flash Wolves. In 2018, SwordArt made the transition to the LPL on Suning. SwordArt could easily return to play in either the PCS or LPL, seek options in North America, or retire after an almost nine year career.
SwordArt has yet to comment on his next move or respond to his departure from TSM.
More offseason news:
- Andy Dinh and Parth confirm that Bjergsen is leaving TSM
- Rumor: Cloud9 could look to trade Perkz
- Swordart rumored to walk away from 3 million dollars by leaving TSM after one year
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Image Credit: Riot Games