A four-time LEC Champion has joined EXCEL Esports.
G2 Esports have released former player Mihael "Mikyx" Mehle from the team as the Slovenian support moves to EXCEL Esports as their new LEC support in 2022 Spring.
EXCEL Esports is the only franchised LEC team to have never made the playoffs since franchising began in Europe in 2019, but that might soon come to an end after acquiring the star support from G2 Esports.
Initially unable to find a team due to a high buyout, Mikyx has finally found a new home in 2022 as EXCEL Esports enters week 3 of the 2022 LEC Spring Split.
“We have big ambitions for this year and making sure we have the best possible line-up of players who have synergy and work well together as a unit is a top priority. When the unique opportunity arose for Mikyx to join us here at EXCEL it was a decision we were ready to make." EXCEL Esports Director Tim Reicher stated. "We have a long season ahead of us and it is important that we make decisions with one goal in mind, challenging the best of the best for a top-three spot.”
Those big ambitions come at a cost though as it means that existing EXCEL support Hank "Advienne" Reijenga will be in search of a new LEC team, who explained the decision came as a shock to him.
"This decision was taken by the management only, without any open dialogue with my (now ex) teammates or any heads up to me prior to the decision already being made." Advienne wrote in his Twitlonger statement. "This decision, as I’m told, is NOT made based on performance issues, motivation issues, issues with regards to my personality, or anything in/out of game-related. It is purely a business decision."
Advienne had joined the EXCEL LEC lineup from their ERL team BT EXCEL, now known as JDXL, midway through 2021 Summer, where he and Markoon were instrumental in helping the team nearly make the playoffs. And while the decision "deeply affects" the Dutch support, he is understanding of the situation.
"I don’t have any negative feelings towards Mikyx and I wish him and the rest of the XL players the best of luck in this, and the upcoming splits." Advienne wrote.
Mikyx is one of the most accomplished European supports, having won four LEC Split titles from 2019-2020, three LoL World Championship appearances, and a victory at the Mid-Season Invitational in 2019. He will look to provide his previous experience from championship teams and help catapult EXCEL Esports to their first playoff berth.
EXCEL Esports is currently tied for sixth place in the standings with a 2-3 record, as they look towards their games against MAD Lions and Astralis, hoping that their new support Mikyx will catapult them higher in the standings.
Stay tuned to Esports.gg for the latest League of Legends news and updates.