12 shock transfers that defined the VCT 2025 season

The 2025 VCT season will be remembered as one of the most incredible seasons that the esports scene has witnessed. From T1 taking the first trophy of the year to NRG winning it all in an unprecedented underdog run, it was a year that truly not many could predict.

And in similar fashion, this season was shaped in some way or form by unexpected roster moves that no one saw coming. It was a year where loyalty was tested and dynasties were dismantled. As we look back at a chaotic and thrilling year, here are the biggest shock transfers that shaped the 2025 season.

Note: All transfer moves happened from the end of the 2024 competitive season to before the start of Champions 2025.

Aspas to MIBR: The King's New Castle

No VALORANT list is complete without mentioning Erick "aspas" Santos, and even on this list, the GOAT had to make an appearance. One of, if not the biggest transfer moves of 2025, aspas left Leviatán to join MIBR.

For years, MIBR had struggled to find its footing in VCT Americas, often languishing at the bottom of the table. But this move was a sign of better things to come for MIBR. Leaving a championship-caliber roster at Leviatán to join a rebuilding project was a gamble that baffled everyone. But MIBR didn't just sign aspas; they built a kingdom around him. The move signaled a massive shift in power within the Brazilian scene, drawing legions of fans to MIBR, and turning the team around into a potential title contender towards the tail end of the season.

While the 2025 season ultimately ended without a major trophy for the squad, the sheer impact of aspas wearing MIBR colors revitalized the organization and proved that the "Final Boss" could terrify anyone regardless of the jersey he wore.

To add some sweetness to the move, aspas has confirmed he has re-signed with mibr for the 2026 VCT season. Perhaps next year will be more fruitful in terms of silverware for this star-studded roster.

Derke to Vitality: The End of an Orange Era

A move of similar magnitude, Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev leaving Fnatic was a monumental shock for fans. For years, Derke was the face of the Black and Orange, the consistent carry behind their dynasty. His departure to Team Vitality seemed like the end of the most dominant core EMEA had ever seen.

The shock wasn't just that he left, but that he stayed within the region to join a direct rival. Vitality, wanting to go all-in with a "super-team" poached the Finnish duelist, and the move paid off immediately. It transformed them from a mid-table team into a legitimate contender, albeit for only one tournament.

More recently, a move of similar weight happened as Fnatic's Chronicle joined Derke at Vitality in the quest to win a trophy come the 2026 VCT season.

Crashies to Fnatic: The NA Takeover

To fill the void left by derke and Leo, Fnatic looked West. The signing of Austin "crashies" Roberts was a historic moment for cross-regional transfers. Leaving the comforts of North America to compete in EMEA is rare, but joining the region's most storied organization to replace a beloved core is unprecedented.

Crashies brought his signature clutch factor and discipline to a Fnatic squad in transition. Any doubts about his ability to adapt to the European playstyle were silenced quickly. His synergy with Boaster was immediate, and his impact was tangible as he helped steer Fnatic not just to a VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 1 trophy, but also two international finals in the year.

Crashies didn't just survive in Europe; he thrived and cemented himself as one of the few players to find major success in two different major regions.

PatMen to Paper Rex: The Rookie Revelation

Perhaps the boldest gamble of the year came from the Kings of Pacific, Paper Rex. Known for their tight-knit core, the organization made the heart-wrenching decision to bench veteran player Aaron "mindfreak" Leonhart. In his place, they promoted an unknown rookie: Patrick "PatMen" Mendoza.

The community was immediately skeptical. Replacing a stable anchor like mindfreak with a rookie seemed like madness. But PatMen managed to turn all his doubters into fans. His aggressive, mechanical playstyle fit perfectly into PRX’s "W-gaming" chaos, but he added a layer of structure that the team had been missing.

The gamble paid off in spectacular fashion at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025, where PatMen’s performances helped deliver Paper Rex their long-awaited international trophy.

BuZz and Meteor to T1: The Pacific Superteam

Staying in the Pacific, T1 decided that slow and steady was no longer an option. They blew up the market by signing two of the region's deadliest players: Yu "BuZz" Byung-chul from DRX and Kim "Meteor" Tae-O from Gen.G Esports.

Snatching the franchise star of DRX and the primary anchor of Gen.G was a financial and ambitious flex. This duo brought overwhelming firepower, and for a brief moment at the start of the season, it propelled T1 to the top of the VALORANT world.

This roster move resulted in a first trophy for T1 at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Bangkok 2025, with Meteor even grabbing his second international title. And to this day, with these two in the squad, T1 still remains one of the strongest teams out of Korea.

Jawgemo and Babybay to G2: Two Masterstrokes

G2 Esports always has a flair for the dramatic. In 2025, it started with the signing of Alexander "jawgemo" Mor, the former world champion from Evil Geniuses. Jawgemo’s arrival gave G2 the explosive entry power they needed, and his "jailbreak" from EG was one of the most celebrated transfers of the year.

But the weirdest and most delightful shock came in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Americas Stage 2. When Nathan "leaf" Orf was sidelined due to medical issues, G2 didn't sign any standard substitute. Instead, they called up Andrej "babybay" Francisty from the commentary desk. And the return of "Babybay the Supersub" was pure cinema.

Dusting off the keyboard to compete in Tier 1 after retiring to cast was supposed to be a meme, but Babybay held his own, providing the veteran presence and "smeaging" energy G2 needed to complete the three-peat.

Honorable Mentions

Not every major move in 2025 rewrote the meta, but several transfers still left a lasting impression on the season’s narrative.

Matias "Saadhak" Delipetro’s switch from LOUD to Karmine Corp was one of the most talked‑about moves of the year. The legendary IGL brought championship pedigree to the “Blue Wall,” yet KC never quite matched the expectations attached to his name, making the move itself more memorable than the team’s actual results.

But 2025 also delivered heartfelt redemption arcs. Andrew "Verno" Maust’s redemption with MIBR. After a difficult stint and eventual benching at NRG, Verno found a second chance alongside aspas, emerging as an incredible IGL who complemented the Brazilian star’s space-taking play and rebuilt his reputation as a big-stage competitor.

Patryk "paTiTek" Fabrowski’s signing to Team Liquid carried a similar emotional weight. Following his memorable stand-in heroics for Team Heretics in 2024, Liquid rewarded him with a full-time spot for 2025, where his role flexibility and presence allowed Team Liquid to win VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 2, their first title since 2023.

On the opposite end, Ava "florescent" Eugene’s move to Apeks serves as a cautionary tale. Having just been promoted to the VCT, Apeks signed florescent in hopes that she could bring much needed firepower to the squad. This move also cemented her name in history as the first Game Changers player to compete in the VCT.

Tragedy struck early, however. Florescent stepped back from competition mid-season, citing personal and family emergencies alongside the challenges of relocating to Berlin. The situation escalated on May 18, 2025, when Riot Games launched an investigation into sexual assault allegations against her, assessing future eligibility while cooperating with legal proceedings. Florescent has denied all claims and sought legal counsel, turning what began as an inspiring story into one of the season's most complex narratives.

In Conclusion

The 2025 season proved that in modern VALORANT, no roster is safe and no region is isolated. From aspas building a new legacy in Brazil to Crashies crossing the Atlantic, and from retired casters returning to the server to rookies winning Masters, the transfers of 2025 proved that the only constant in the VCT is chaos.

For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image Source: Riot Games/Edited by THESPIKE.GG