One of the most decorated veterans in League of Legends may be heading back to the pro stage. According to a report by Dot Esports that cites Sheep Esports, Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu is set to join Nongshim RedForce for the 2027 LCK season. Neither the player nor the organization has confirmed the move yet, so it should be treated as a strong rumor rather than a done deal.
Why the Deft comeback matters
Deft has been absent from professional play since the end of 2024. His mandatory military service in South Korea began in May 2025 and kept him out of both the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Now he has reportedly returned to Korean solo queue and climbed into Challenger this October, with Ezreal, Kai’Sa and Zeri among his recent practice picks.
His résumé speaks for itself. Since debuting in 2013 he has played for Samsung Blue, EDward Gaming, KT Rolster, DRX and Hanwha Life Esports, collecting domestic titles in both Korea and China. He won the 2015 Mid-Season Invitational with EDward Gaming and lifted the 2022 World Championship with DRX after beating T1 in the final. Other LCK organizations, Kiwoom DRX among them, were reportedly interested as well.
A reunion in the bot lane and mid lane
At Nongshim, Deft would be reunited with mid laner Lee “Scout” Ye-chan, his former teammate at EDward Gaming. He would also be only the second player to return to the LCK after finishing military service with the club, following GuGer’s comeback in 2024. That track record suggests the organization is comfortable building around veterans who have been away from the server for a while.
Who could be pushed out
The reported signing would likely squeeze out Nam “Diable” Dae-geun, an 18-year-old AD carry. Diable debuted with BNK FEARX in 2025 and helped the team reach second place at the LCK Cup, but he was demoted in April 2026 over missed commitments and rule violations. Nongshim then acquired him in a trade involving Kim “Taeyoon” Tae-yoon. His next destination is unknown, and it remains unclear whether Nongshim plans more roster changes for 2027.
What it means for fans and bettors
A long layoff always raises questions about mechanics and game knowledge in a patch-heavy title. Still, a world champion marksman paired with a mid laner he already knows could quickly change how the market views Nongshim next year. Those who follow LCK odds will want to keep an eye on how bookmakers price the team once rosters are final, and new customers can read our guide to welcome bonuses before signing up anywhere. Please bet responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose.
Official confirmation is expected to come once the offseason window opens. Until then, Deft’s status stays a rumor, and we will update you as soon as there is more.
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