Nuguri, BeryL released by DAMWON Gaming and become free agents

DAMWON Gaming has officially confirmed through social media channels that Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon and Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee have entered the free agent market following contract expiration.

The 2020 World Championship winners are now available for contract negotiations across the League of Legends competitive landscape. Both the top lane specialist and support player, who recently secured the Summoner’s Cup in Shanghai, retain the possibility of returning to the organization where they achieved their career-defining success. According to official statements from DAMWON management, both athletes have elected to test free agency waters while maintaining ongoing discussions with their former team.

Understanding free agency mechanics is crucial for evaluating player movement decisions. Teams typically have exclusive negotiation windows before players hit the open market, creating strategic advantages for incumbent organizations.

Nuguri and BeryL served as cornerstone pieces in DAMWON’s domestic and international dominance. Their potential departure represents a significant roster shakeup that few analysts anticipated. With the LCK transitioning into a franchise system, organizations now possess enhanced financial capabilities to retain elite talent through competitive compensation packages. This development suggests both players are pursuing potentially more advantageous competitive situations.

As LCK franchises actively reconstruct their competitive lineups, numerous opportunities exist for these championship-proven competitors. They represent not merely top-tier LCK talent but current world title holders—making them premium acquisition targets for teams seeking immediate competitive upgrades. When considering roster construction priorities, organizations should prioritize securing established championship winners over developmental prospects.

The timing of this free agency period coincides with broader LCK structural changes. Teams now operate within a more stable financial ecosystem, allowing for long-term player investments that previously weren’t feasible under the previous league structure.

안녕하세요. 담원게이밍과 ‘Nuguri’ 장하권, ‘BeryL’ 조건희 선수와의 계약이 만료되었음을 알려드립니다. 오랜 시간 담원게이밍과 여정을 함께해주신 선수분들께 감사드립니다.
pic.twitter.com/zHzJtHS9Cy

— DWG_Official (@DamwonGaming)
November 17, 2020

Where will Nuguri and BeryL go in LoL free agency?

Currently, multiple competitive destinations present themselves for these elite free agents. Both players occupy an enviable negotiating position where they can selectively choose their next competitive home. Regression to lesser teams isn’t a viable path for athletes carrying world championship credentials, making established powerhouse organizations like T1 and Gen.G logical targets.

Evaluating current roster compositions at T1 and Gen.G reveals that Nuguri and BeryL would constitute meaningful upgrades for either franchise, and both possess the financial resources to facilitate such acquisitions. T1 potentially maintains a strategic advantage over Gen.G due to their recent acquisition of former DAMWON coaching staff members Lee “Zefa” Jae-min and Yang “Daeny” Dae-in. Reconnecting with familiar strategic leadership could prove decisive in these players’ destination calculations.

DAMWON retains contractual mechanisms to re-secure their championship core, though they’ll likely encounter substantial competitive bidding from rival organizations seeking to leverage this unexpected availability of top-tier talent.

Teams evaluating these acquisitions must consider both immediate competitive impact and long-term roster development. Championship experience provides intangible benefits that extend beyond individual performance metrics, influencing team culture and competitive resilience during high-pressure situations.

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