It was a tale of two Worlds for Kim “Clid” Tae-min and FunPlus Phoenix but, just days before the start of the 2022 League of Legends Pro League season, the two have joined forces. After spending the last two years as a member of Gen.G Esports, Clid will be moving back to China to be the starting jungler for FPX. He will be replacing Worlds 2019 finals MVP Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang as he moves to Top Esports.
We are thrilled to announce Clid will be joining the #FPXLOL division in the 2022 season.
He's a proven player with extensive experience, and we believe his performance will be a cornerstone in the success of our new squad.
Please join us in giving him a warm welcome!#FPX pic.twitter.com/uGJEiravCq— FPX (@FPX_Esports) January 5, 2022
Clid’s Worlds 2021 run
At the 2021 League of Legends World Championship, Clid had a memorable run as a member of Gen.G, after a mediocre group stage that saw all four teams in Group D go 3-3 and force a four-way tiebreaker, Gen.G turned on the jets and made it out as the first seed. In the quarterfinals, Gen.G dispatched Cloud9 in a quick 3-0 series and Clid was named MVP. In the semifinal against the soon-to-be Worlds 2021 champions Edward Gaming, Clid got off to a hot start. He picked up the Player of the Game award in Game 1, before ultimately coming up short in a thrilling five-game series. Clid ended his Worlds run with a top-four finish.
Gen.G and Clid could not come to terms on a contract extension and they parted ways. The team decided to go with League of Legends Korea summer split MVP Han “Peanut” Wang-ho as their new jungler.
FPX rebirth after historic collapse
FPX has had quite an eventful offseason. After a historic collapse at Worlds 2021, the team has cleaned house. Gone is the pillar of the Worlds 2019 championship roster of Kim “Doinb” Tae-sang and, after just one year, Worlds 2020 champion Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon is also gone. In 2022, Clid joins a roster that has just one player from the Worlds 2021 roster: bot laner Lin “Lwx” Wei-Xiang.
The new-look roster, outside of Clid, has already showcased their potential. In the Demacia Cup 2021, a pre-season tournament for the LPL teams, FPX — with substitute jungler Yang “Beichuan” Ling — placed second; only losing to TES in the finals while also picking up a 3-1 victory over retooled Worlds 2021 team LNG Esports.
FPX starts their road to redemption with Clid on their side. They will take on Royal Never Give Up on the opening day of the LPL 2022 spring split on Jan. 10.
