Sayaplayer joins Japanese Tier-2 side REJECT

South Korean VALORANT sensation Ha "Sayaplayer" Jung-woo has officially joined Japanese team REJECT, as confirmed on their X account. The move marks a significant change for Sayaplayer, who was benched by T1 following their underwhelming performance in the second half of the 2024 season.

After exiting the VCT 2024 - Pacific Stage 2 in July and leaving T1 in October, Sayaplayer has spent nearly six months on the sidelines. Fans eagerly anticipate his return to competitive play with REJECT.

“I’ve always been interested in the Japanese league, so I’m very excited to participate. I’ll do my best to show Japanese fans lots of cool and fun plays!” Ha "Sayaplayer" Jung-woo (translated from Japanese)

REJECT’s Recent Struggles

REJECT, a Japanese esports organization, fields teams in multiple titles, including Apex Legends and PUBG Mobile, alongside VALORANT. While their VALORANT roster competes in Japan’s Challenger League, their performance in 2024 was inconsistent. They achieved a commendable 2nd place in VCL 2024 - Japan: Split 1 - Main Event but faltered later, finishing 7th in VCL 2024 - Japan: Split 2 - Main Event and 9th-12th in VCL 2024 - Japan: Split 3 Main Event.

With a roster blending Japanese and Korean talent, REJECT aims to reclaim their standing in the league. Sayaplayer will join fellow Korean player Lee "HATE" Ye-hun, who was added to the lineup just a day prior.

A Fresh Start for Sayaplayer

Sayaplayer’s move to REJECT symbolizes a fresh start and an opportunity to showcase his abilities in a new environment. With the addition of experienced players like Sayaplayer and Hate, REJECT may be well-positioned to rebound in the upcoming season. Fans of both the player and the team will undoubtedly be watching closely as this new chapter unfolds.

Stay tuned to THESPIKE as we continued to deliver more VALORANT news. This includes the VCT as well as updates to the game.

Featured image credit: VCT Pacific