XLG Esports signs NoMan ahead of VCT China Stage 2

XLG Esports has completed its VALORANT roster ahead of VCT China Stage 2 by signing James ‘NoMan’ Man.

The news comes just hours after the Chinese esports organisation announced the departure of Zhang ‘Midi’ Jiajun earlier today.

XLG Esports has made waves within the VALORANT esports scene as the first team to take a VCT China trophy outside of 2024 Champions winner, EDward Gaming. In May, the Chinese underdog defeated Bilibili Gaming to win the region’s Stage 1 competition and qualify for Masters Toronto.

Additionally, XLG claimed this achievement during its first year of Tier 1 competition as the 2024 Ascension team.

Ahead of Masters Toronto, however, the organisation lost its star initiator, Yip ‘YoU’ Man-ho, and signed Midi as a last-minute replacement. The lack of practice time significantly impacted XLG’s performance in Toronto. Despite joining with a direct Playoffs buy-in, XLG was eliminated early by Americas contestants Sentinels (0-2) and G2 Esports (0-2).

Midi’s decision to step down from the roster afterwards comes as no surprise, since the player struggled to communicate with the English-speaking team, especially with Arthur ‘Rarga’ Churyumov, who does not speak Chinese.

NoMan has been competing in VALORANT across several Tier 2 and Tier 3 organisations since 2022. He began his career with Hong Kong-based team Oblivion Force, with whom he won the Hong Kong & Taiwan Stage 1 Challengers in 2022.

NoMan has also had short runs as a duelist player for Chinese organisation Rare Atom and German team ESC Gaming. However, it is unclear which role NoMan will take within XLG’s roster.

The player will join his new team as a free agent for the upcoming VCT China Stage 2, running from July 3^rd until August 31^st. XLG’s first match will take place on July 5^th at 10 am BST against All Gamers.

As the final regional VCT tournament of the year, Stage 2 also represents the final chance for teams to qualify for the season-ending VALORANT Champions event.