Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu did not spend long on the free agent market.
A day after DRX announced that their 2022 Worlds-winning roster was available after the players’ contracts expired, Deft signed on Wednesday with DWG KIA.
“DWG KIA would like to introduce our new AD carry, Kim ‘Deft’ Hyuk-kyu,” the team tweeted. “Please send lots of love and support for ‘Deft’, champion of the 2022 World Championship. Thank you.”
Deft, playing in his eighth consecutive Worlds, helped DRX pull off a stunning victory following a fourth-place finish in the LCK. DRX were the first team from the Play-Ins to go on to win the title.
The 26-year-old Korean star joins a roster that also includes fellow newcomer Kim “Canna” Chang-dong in the top lane and returning players jungler Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu, mid laner Heo “ShowMaker” Su and support Kim “Kellin” Hyeong-gyu.
After previously hinting at retirement, Deft announced earlier this week that he would continue playing in the LCK for at least one more season. At the time, that appeared as though it would be for DRX, but that was before the team’s announcement of the players’ contracts all expiring.
“And with a grateful heart, I would like to stay and make more happy memories with my teammates and fans, to continue this journey,” he wrote in an article for The Players Tribune. “I can say now that I will be able to walk away from League with no regrets one day. But it is not that day yet. See you soon.”
DWG KIA parted ways with three players this month: bot laner Seo “deokdam” Dae-gil, top laner Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon and subsitute top laner Noh “Burdol” Tae-yoon.
After winning Worlds in 2020 and finishing second in 2021, DWG KIA finished 5th-8th this year.
–Field Level Media
