Zeus Leaves T1, Doran Joins: A Seismic Shift in LCK
In a stunning move during the 2024 winter transfer window, T1’s star top laner Zeus departs for HLE while Doran joins T1, marking one of the most significant roster changes in recent LCK history.
The League of Legends community was left in shock as T1 announced the departure of their prodigious top laner Zeus to Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) and the acquisition of Doran. This unexpected roster change has sent ripples through the competitive landscape of Korean League of Legends.
Zeus’s departure comes after an incredibly successful stint with T1, during which he helped secure multiple championships and established himself as part of what many consider the strongest five-man roster in League history. The ZOFGK lineup (Zeus, Oner, Faker, Gumayusi, Keria) achieved remarkable success, including two championships and one second-place finish at Worlds.
Financial considerations appear to have played a crucial role in this transfer. Reports suggest that HLE offered Zeus an unprecedented contract for a top laner in LCK history, approximately worth 40 billion Korean won (around 20 million USD). This astronomical figure demonstrates HLE’s ambitious plans to build a super team, having already secured other high-profile players like Viper and Zeka.
For T1, bringing in Doran represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While Doran has proven himself as a capable top laner with a Summer Split championship under his belt, he faces the monumental task of filling Zeus’s shoes in a team that has set incredibly high standards. The pressure will be particularly intense as T1 aims for an unprecedented third consecutive World Championship in 2025, with the tournament scheduled to take place in China.
The competitive landscape of the LCK has been dramatically altered by this transfer. HLE has assembled what looks to be one of the strongest rosters in the region, featuring Zeus, Peanut, Zeka, Viper, and Delight. Meanwhile, Gen.G has maintained their powerful lineup, setting up what promises to be an incredibly competitive 2025 season.
This transfer also raises interesting questions about team dynamics and player development. While some argue that T1’s success primarily stems from Faker’s leadership and system, Zeus’s departure challenges this notion and highlights the importance of individual talent in professional League of Legends.
As the dust settles on this monumental transfer, both organizations look ahead to 2025 with different expectations and challenges. For Zeus, it represents an opportunity to prove himself outside of T1’s system, while T1 faces the task of maintaining their championship standards with a restructured roster.