TSM jungler Spica enters free agency

 TSM parted ways with its star jungler Mingyi “Spica” Lu after failing to reach financial agreements with the 21-years-old. As an unrestricted free agent entering the League of Legends esports offseason, Spica will be available for signing.

The North American organization appears to be considering other options after its roster’s dismal showing at the LCS Summer Split and failing to qualify for Worlds 2022. After four years of being a member of TSM, former LCS champion and 2021 Spring Split MVP Spica has been released by the organization.  Dominic Kallas, TSM’s VP of Esports, revealed in a tweet that the decision to remove Spica was made because the two sides were unable to reach a financial agreement.

After a turbulent year that saw TSM post underwhelming performances at both the LCS splits, the former LCS MVP departs the organization. While Spica performed admirably by most measures as an individual, the team as a whole seemed unsuccessful the whole season. With a dismal 5-13 record in the LCS Spring Split, they came in ninth place. In the Summer Split, however, they improved to seventh place finish, slipping into the playoffs where they defeated FlyQuest before being ousted by Evil Geniuses.

From academy rookie to LCS superstar: Spica’s thrilling journey with TSM

The Chinese jungler started playing League of Legends professionally in 2018 with Echo Fox Academy. After a brief stay with FOX, he joined TSM Academy in 2019 and competed in the LCS Academy League alongside bot lane Edward “Tactical” Ra. He played for four months as an interim jungler on the main squad during his one-year spell with TSM’s academy team.

He abruptly joined the TSM main roster in 2019 as a result of conflict between the team’s primary and secondary junglers, Jonathan “Grig” Armao and Matthew “Akaadian” Higginbotham. Spica debuted in the starting lineup during the final week of the LCS 2019 Summer, enabling the team to advance to the Regional finals. TSM performed admirably throughout the Regional Finals, but after falling to Clutch Gaming in the final, they were unable to advance to Worlds 2019.

The 21-year-old TSM secured a permanent place in the starting lineup, despite the fact that his efforts fell short of getting the team to the international stage. Before the Summer Split, he joined the TSM starting lineup full-time and soon after made a name for himself thanks to his outstanding play during the playoffs. The Chinese jungler’s wide selection of champions and a deft understanding of the game’s mechanics enabled TSM to win its first LCS split since 2017. However, with TSM’s latest roster change, Spica’s four-year association with the heavyweight League organization comes to an end.

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