Cloud9 has signed alym, Derrek and nightz to complete a rebuilt VALORANT lineup round GLYPH and FireBallOps. With no VCT associate slot, the staff should now earn a 2027 Americas Kickoff place by the North America qualifier.
Cloud9 will start its 2027 VALORANT marketing campaign previous the open qualifiers however in need of Kickoff. Its invitation doesn’t place the staff immediately within the 2027 Americas Kickoff. The brand new lineup nonetheless has to win its approach by.
The roster is now full. The newcomers’ full names are Torogul “alym” Baidyldaev, Derrek “Derrek” Ha and Christian “nightz” Smith. Their teammates are FireBallOps, on the roster since 2026-05-29, and GLYPH. Ian “Immi” Harding returns as head coach.
The three signings arrive from totally different 2026 roles. alym performed entry Duelist for FURIA. nightz joined ENVY partway by the season and largely performed Controller. Derrek performed for M80 and QoR. ENVY and QoR are each on the listing of groups invited to the qualifier.
Solely FireBallOps stays from Cloud9’s 2026 lineup
The rebuild follows a tough season. Cloud9 completed sixth at Kickoff in 2026. It went 1-4 within the Stage 1 group stage. The 12 months ended with a 1-2 exit within the Stage 2 play-ins.
On October 19, Cloud9 mentioned on X that Riot had not picked it as a VCT associate for 2027. The staff mentioned it could maintain competing in VALORANT. It has not performed a world occasion since 2023, THESPIKE reported.
The roster modifications adopted shortly. On November 2, Cloud9 launched Zellsis, OXY and Jackk and signed GLYPH. GLYPH’s contract phrases and size weren’t disclosed. Jackk’s contract ran by the 2028 season. On the identical day as Cloud9’s partnership put up, he introduced that the staff had let him discover provides. Cloud9’s staff web page now lists v1c as inactive.
Two former Cloud9 gamers have landed at Sentinels. Zellsis rejoined the staff as an official emergency substitute and full-time content material creator, not as a starter. Sentinels’ roster for the 2027 Americas Kickoff lists each OXY and Zellsis. johnqt, brawk and canezerra full that roster.
Cloud9 wants two Swiss wins to advance from the qualifier
Eight Americas associate groups maintain direct locations within the 2027 Americas Kickoff. They’re 100 Thieves, G2 Esports, KRÜ Esports, LEVIATÁN, LOUD, MIBR, NRG and Sentinels. The remaining locations go to the North America qualifier, the Brazil qualifier, the LATAM Remaining and a Final Probability qualifier.
Invites went to groups that had been VCT Americas companions from 2023 to 2026 and weren’t renewed for 2027. Prime former VCL or Sport Changers groups had been additionally invited. Cloud9’s fellow invitees embrace ENVY, FlyQuest, QoR, YFP, SaD Esports, and Shopify Rise up Black and Gold.
The 2 North American open qualifiers run November 5-8 and November 12-15. Groups that get by be a part of the invited sides in a 16-team Swiss Stage. That format means one robust weekend might carry the brand new lineup ahead.
Cloud9’s 5 will play collectively for the primary time within the Swiss Stage from November 20. The qualifier’s playoffs observe on December 1-6.
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