Zellsis and Penny reunite on Cloud9 for the 2026 VCT Americas Season

Cloud9 has officially revamped its VALORANT lineup ahead of the 2026 VCT Americas season, announcing the addition of Jordan "Zellsis" Montemurro and Erik "penny" Penny. The move not only reunites two former teammates under coach Ian "Immi" Harding but also gives Cloud9 a fresh identity focused on chemistry, leadership, and redemption.

A Reunion Years in the Making

For the first time since 2021, the trio of Zellsis, Penny, and Immi are back together. Their previous chapter began during the Version1 era, where they finished at 5th-6th at VCT 2021 - Stage 2 - Masters Reykjavík – the first-ever international VALORANT event. Now, five years later, they aim to recreate that success under the Cloud9 banner.

This marks Zellsis’s second stint with Cloud9 after his 2023 season with the organization. His return comes with a new challenge as he transitions into the role of IGL, a first for his career.

“It came to a point where I didn’t like where Sen was going, and I wanted to IGL, and then now we’re here.”

Penny’s Return to NA

Penny’s journey back to North America is one of resilience. After his standout period with Version1, his career included challenges and valuable lessons across G2 Esports, Team Liquid (as a stand-in), and Apeks. Penny revealed that his time in Europe helped him grow both as a player and teammate.

During Cloud9’s internal trials to replace Michael "neT" Bernet, Penny impressed across multiple roles and consistently delivered in scrims, notably against G2. Despite several Tier 1 players being considered, Penny’s chemistry and flexibility made him the team’s clear choice. His addition brings balance to the roster, complementing Cloud9’s current structure.

Building a Leadership-Driven Team

The roster shake-up follows Cloud9’s disappointing end to the 2025 campaign, as they were eliminated in 4th place in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Americas Stage 2 by NRG. The organization recognized a critical gap in leadership and emotional strength during difficult games. Both Immi and Francis "OXY" Hoang described the need for a “vocal leader who can pull the team out of the mud.” Zellsis’s personality and competitive experience fit this vision perfectly, giving Cloud9 a stronger in-game voice.

Immi emphasized that while team decisions remain collaborative, having a commanding presence in Zellsis will foster structure and confidence. The new environment encourages every player to contribute, making Cloud9’s culture more open and team-oriented than ever.

Eyes on the 2026 Season

Cloud9’s 2026 lineup now features:

• Erick "Xeppaa" Bach
• Victor "v1c" Truong
• Francis "OXY" Hoang
• Jordan "Zellsis" Montemurro
• Erik "penny" Penny
• Ian "Immi" Harding will continue as head coach

The team will make its debut at the Red Bull Home Ground 2025 - Main Event on November 13.

As the squad embraces its rebuilt structure, fans can expect a more confident, cohesive, and motivated Cloud9. Reunited under familiar leadership and shared ambition, Zellsis and Penny are set to lead Cloud9’s revival in the 2026 VCT Americas season.

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Featured Image Source: Cloud9