5 LEC teams enter the race for star mid laner

The LEC offseason is heating up as five European organizations reportedly join the race to sign Vladimíros “Vladi” Kourtidis, one of the brightest young stars in League of Legends esports.

The 20-year-old Greek mid laner has drawn serious attention from top teams following an impressive year with Karmine Corp, making him one of the most sought-after players in the 2026 roster shuffle. According to Sheep Esports, Team Vitality, Fnatic, SK Gaming, GIANTX, and Team Heretics are the teams actively trying to secure the young prodigy in the LEC. 

Vladi’s rapid ascent through Europe’s competitive ladder has been nothing short of remarkable. He originally emerged from the LFL, where he earned a reputation for his mechanical precision and fearless laning. He climbed through multiple academy rosters before joining Karmine Corp Blue, where a string of explosive performances earned him a promotion to the main LEC lineup.

Karmine Corp’s Blue Wall reached its peak during the LEC Winter Split 2025, when the team claimed the title, making Vladi the second-youngest mid laner in history to win the LEC, behind only Caps. Throughout the 2025 season, Vladi was often the catalyst for KC’s memorable moments, excelling in early skirmishes and dictating the pace of games. 

Even in losses, Vladi’s individual mechanics and playmaking stood out, earning him praise from analysts and fans across Europe. Karmine Corp started the year in promising fashion but soon lost their footing, unable to sustain their early peak. Their decline saw them miss every international event after the First Stand and surrender the Worlds 2025 third seed to Fnatic.

Every organization should view Vladi as a potential long-term franchise player. His combination of youth and star potential makes him especially appealing in a league where strong mid lane leadership often defines success and forms the core for the team. Karmine Corp would be wise to retain him, but if five teams are bidding for his services, the organization might look to promote more players from their academy team to finish their final roster for 2026. 

Whether Vladi decides to run it back with Karmine Corp or takes on a new challenge elsewhere, his decision will be one of the defining moments of the 2026 LEC offseason.