LEC's FC Shalke 04 Signs Former G2 Jungler Trick

After a rather disappointing ending to their playoff run -- Schalke 04 lost to SK Gaming in a final-spot tie-breaker to end out their season -- the Royal Blues of Schalke 04 might need to shake things up a bit heading into the Summer Split if they want a different result. 

Today, Schalke 04 announced on their website that the team has signed former G2 Esports jungler Kim “Trick” Gang-yun. 

In the blog post, team coach Dylan Falco said that the team had decided to look at potential signings to “add an extra option for our League of Legends squad.” Which they most certainly got in Trick. “We were looking for a player who already proved himself at the highest level,” added Falco.

Trick or Treat?

Over the course of his five-year professional League of Legends career, Trick has played with Korea’s defunct CJ Entus team, before spending two years with G2 Esports in the LEC where he was praised by teammates. During his time in the EU, Trick helped G2 achieve back-to-back 1st place finished in the LEC (then EU LCS). So Schalke 04 have definitely found their “proven player” in Trick. 

Now, he comes over from the Turkish league, where Trick spent minimal time with Galakticos. Prior to that, he saw minimal success with bbq Olivers of the League Champions Korea (LCK) circuit. 

Trick joins a mid-tier Schalke 04 squad and brings with him a large jungle champion pool. In his career, he holds a 164W - 140L professional record. His most played champion is Graves and has a 62% win-rate with the sharpshooter. Trick has been nominated to the EU All-Star team in the past and has multiple MVP titles in the league. 

After only winning two games in his entire stint with Galakticos, it’ll be very interesting to see what the 23-year-old brings with him to a team that is the weakest in that jungle matchup. Currently, Schalke 04 has one other Korean player on their active roster, in their Support Lee “IgNer” Dong-geun, but Trick’s previous exposure to the EU league will most likely be his saving grace. 

“I’m pleased to play for Royal Blue in the future and can hardly wait for the new season to begin,” said Trick in the press release on Schalke 04’s website. 

While it’s unsure what shape Trick joins Schalke 04 in, his time in the EU will hopefully prove to make the move an easy adjustment for him. This fairly fresh roster can honestly use all of the veteran players it can get right now. Even if they don’t crack the starting line-up on the mainstage.

Catch the current LEC action on Twin Galaxies, and make sure to tune-in for the 2019 LEC Spring Split Grand Finals live from Rotterdam next weekend.