Candy Panda in negotiations with SK Gaming as Forg1ven moves on

Adrian “Candy Panda” Wübbelmann is in negotiations to join SK Gaming, sources close to the organization told the Daily Dot.

Wübbelman is one of three European marksmen returning to their former team this season, as Erik “Tabzz” Van Helvert plans to rejoin Elements and Martin “Rekkles” Larsson will suit back up for Fnatic in the Summer Split.

Wübbelman would join Christoph “nRated” Seitz, who will stay with SK despite poor performances in the Spring Split and rumors that the team was looking to replace him. The German AD would replace Konstantinos “FORG1VEN” Tzortziou, who clashed with teammates throughout the season.

Earlier this week, the Daily Dot reported Tzortziou requested a trade from SK after a poor finish to the European League of Legends Championship Series Spring Playoffs.

Wübbelman’s return seems an immediate downgrade from Tzortziou, who was inarguably the best marksman in the region this split and one of the best in the West. It’s also something of a last resort for SK. The team missed its chance to sign Larsson and were also reportedly turned down by Aleš “Freeze” Kněžínek of the Copenhagen Wolves, who plans to stay with his current team.

Tzortziou’s fate, meanwhile, is uncertain. His dominating performances have been matched with an equally uncompromising attitude, and he’s often clashed with teammates and managers. But personality conflicts only matter so much when weighed against a talent like Tzortziou’s. Expect him to find a new team soon.

SK Gaming has yet to respond to a request for comment at time of publication.  

Photo via Riot Games | Remix by Jacob Wolf