Star top laner Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami, a recognizable talent in the league, is reportedly being replaced on C9’s main LCS roster for the 2024 Summer Split.

The 21-year-old might be part of one of two significant moves the team is planning during the mid-season break, which includes a coaching staff overhaul, with former C9 head coach Bok ��Reapered�� Han-gyu set to replace head coach Alfonso “mithy” Aguirre Rodr��guez.

The replacement for Fudge is said to be Dplus KIA’s rising star Park “Thanatos” Seung-gyu, a 19-year-old phenom who has made waves in the Korean Challengers scene, earning two LCK CL Finals MVP awards.

Thanatos has reportedly attracted attention from multiple LCK organizations and even the LEC’s Karmine Corp.

Despite being considered for the top lane position on DK during the previous offseason, the team ultimately decided against multiple rookies in their starting lineup, opting to retain Choi “Lucid” Yong-hyeok, an up-and-coming jungler prospect.

C9’s decision to replace Fudge comes after a disappointing early exit from the LCS playoff race, marking their first absence from the playoffs since the 2022 Summer Split.

Despite Fudge’s multi-year deal with C9, his performance metrics, including the lowest kills and average damage to champions among LCS top laners during the Spring Split, indicate a diminished impact compared to previous years.

The team’s focus has shifted away from Fudge towards players like Joseph “Jojopyun” Pyun and Kim “Berserker” Min-cheol for the 2024 season.

The return of former 100 Thieves head coach Reapered to Cloud9 adds another layer to the team’s restructuring.

Reapered, known for his successful tenure with C9 from 2016 to 2020, during which the team achieved notable success at international events, is set to replace Mithy following C9’s failure to reach the 2024 LCS Spring Finals.

The team’s recent slump, despite high-profile signings like Jojopyun, has prompted a re-evaluation of the coaching staff and roster.

With these changes underway, Cloud9 aims to reclaim its former glory and secure a spot at Worlds 2024 in Europe, signalling a potential resurgence for the organization in the competitive League of Legends scene.

It hurts me to announce that C9 and I have parted ways
While the team failed to meet its expectations, I have nothing but love and respect for the organization and its players.
It's been an exciting journey to be a part of c9 and feel the love and hate y'all bring as fans #c9win

— Alfonso 'mithy' (@mithygg) April 4, 2024

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Cloud9 has solidified its commitment to maintaining its competitive edge by re-signing jungling icon Blaber to a three-year deal, extending his contract until 2026.

Blaber, a legendary figure in the LCS community, has been a cornerstone of Cloud9 since joining as a substitute for the Academy squad in 2017, evolving into one of the region’s most talented players.

The best jungler in the history of North America is staying with Cloud9 for 3 more years! pic.twitter.com/4e1B8GrHzI

— Cloud9 League of Legends (@C9LoL) November 21, 2023

Throughout his career, the 23-year-old has amassed an impressive list of achievements, including four LCS championships, two MVP awards, the 2018 Rookie of the Split award, and four first-team All-Pro honors.

Blaber has consistently represented Cloud9 at the World Championship, playing a crucial role in the team’s 2018 semifinal run alongside Svenskeren.

Despite Cloud9’s less-than-ideal performance in 2023, Blaber remains a standout jungler in the region.

While other roster changes are in progress, such as Zven entering free agency as an AD carry and EMENES retiring, Cloud9 sees Blaber as a pivotal figure to build around.

Cloud9 is not only securing Blaber’s future but also bolstering its roster with a three-year deal for top laner Fudge, extending his contract until 2026.

Fudge, who was already under contract until 2025, now enjoys added job security, ensuring the longevity of Cloud9’s topside duo.

Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Cloud9’s roster is expected to maintain its core, with Blaber and Fudge serving as the backbone.

Five total titles with Cloud9

The @Fudgecakey factor isn't going anywhere! pic.twitter.com/5HTJ9Wg4Gc

— Cloud9 League of Legends (@C9LoL) November 22, 2023

The team has made strategic moves in the offseason, with reported signings of former FlyQuest support Vulcan and LCS MVP Jojopyun as the new mid laner.

While Zven and EMENES have departed, their replacements are yet to be officially confirmed.

As the North American LCS free agency period unfolds, Cloud9’s proactive approach to securing key players reflects its commitment to remaining a competitive force in the league.

With Blaber and Fudge locked in for the long term, Cloud9 aims to continue its legacy of success in the coming seasons.

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Although Summit had a spectacular 2022 LoL Championship Series (LCS) Spring regular season, winning seven MVP awards, he disappeared during the playoffs. That, to a large extent, played a role in the decision to cut him after one split.

With that release, Fudge can return to his original role. He moved to the mid laner position to accommodate Summit’s acquisition. But with the South Korean out of the team, he will be C9’s first choice top laner.

Fudge’s struggles as a mid laner were evident, but the Australian has become more confident since realizing he was going to play as a top laner in the second half of the season.

“I do feel like I was learning quite a bit when I was a mid laner. And I think once I realized I was playing top lane again, I felt a lot of confidence, because as a player,” he said in a recent interview.

“I understand the game from a holistic standpoint quite well, and my only big weakness as a mid laner was my laning and my mechanics on champions��which is a very important part of the game, obviously.”

In his three years as a professional LoL player, Fudge has played as a top laner. Taking that into consideration, one could see why he is thrilled to be returning to that position.

Although the 20-year-old was not his best as a mid laner, he managed to win one MVP award in the playoffs.

Now back in his preferred position, Fudge is determined to make his mark alongside Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen and Robert “Blaber” Huang.

“I believe in myself. I believe I can be the best top laner by the end of the split. I believe Jensen can be the best mid laner, and I already believe Blaber is the best jungler,” he said.

Even as the Aussie is brimming with confidence, he admitted that he has a lot to learn. In doing so, he also tried to compare his style of play to that of Summit, now with FunPlus Phoenix in the LoL Pro League (LPL).

“A player like Summit is someone that��s very far on one side of the spectrum, which is very aggressive, very good mechanically, but he doesn��t make the best strategic decisions. Whereas me, when I was a top laner in 2021 Summer, I was very passive and [went] for high-percentage plays that were low-risk, but I didn��t really carry any games,” he said.

“I think it��s very important I��m able to win lane against all the NA top laners, and that��s what I��ve been working on. I still think I��m not there yet, but I��ve been definitely focusing heavily on my laning, trying to push the limits of champions mechanically, but it��s going to take a lot of time, obviously.”

Fudge has gradually shown that his conservative style could benefit C9. So far in the summer, Fudge has the lowest death percentage in comparison to other top laners in the LCS. He also has the highest kill share among all top laners.

Unfortunately, C9 have lost their first three games of the summer. They lost their opening game against Evil Geniuses, with the remaining two defeats at the hands of Golden Guardians and Team Liquid.

C9 will resume play on June 25 against Dignitas. Both teams are yet to win a game, and this will be an opportunity for them to get on the board.

A top-six finish will guarantee C9 a spot in the playoffs. If they reach the playoffs, they could become one of three teams that will get direct seeding to the 2022 LoL World Championship.

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