Reigning VALORANT Champion NRG has made a significant roster change by signing Georgio ‘keiko’ Sanassy for the upcoming VCT season. This new addition aims to bring fresh dynamics to the team as they prepare for another competitive year.
Keiko’s Journey to NRG
Keiko, who started his journey in the European VALORANT tier-2 scene in 2021, has proven his skills through various competitions. He was a part of Apeks during the 2023 Challengers season, where the team secured a second-place finish at VCT Ascension EMEA. His impressive performance caught the attention of Team Liquid, where he later debuted in Riot Games’ franchised VALORANT Champions Tour.
Though his initial year in VCT EMEA had its challenges, Keiko emerged as a standout player throughout 2025. Under his contribution, Team Liquid claimed victory at VCT EMEA Stage 2 and participated in every international VCT event of the year. Now, Keiko joins NRG, expressing his excitement and readiness to compete alongside last year’s Champions. “Big surprise! Joined NRG. Super excited to be playing with the Champions from last year. Let’s get to work,” he remarked enthusiastically.
Keiko Has Big Shoes to Fill
Stepping into the role of NRG’s former smokes player, s0m, Keiko faces high expectations. S0m, who has been with NRG since 2020, was instrumental in securing the team’s triumph at this year’s Champions event in Paris. The team’s journey was unexpected, as they managed to qualify only after finishing second in VCT Americas Stage 2. Throughout this period, s0m’s supportive nature and leadership were frequently acknowledged by his teammates.
With Keiko’s arrival, NRG has solidified its lineup for the next VCT season. While s0m takes a break to focus on content creation, familiar faces like double-Champions winner Ethan ‘Ethan’ Arnold will continue with the team, having extended their contracts.
A New Chapter for NRG
As NRG finalizes its roster for the upcoming season, the team is poised to continue its competitive legacy. Enthusiasts and fans eagerly anticipate how Keiko will blend with the NRG squad and contribute to their future successes. With the changes in place, the new season promises thrilling matches and potential triumphs for the team.