NRG Confirm Keiko as Fifth Player for VCT 2026

13 Nov

Kaustavmani Choudhury

NRG have officially announced the signing of Georgio "keiko" Sanassy, marking a significant roster move as they prepare for the 2026 VCT season. The British duelist joins from Team Liquid after spending two years in the EMEA region, making the jump across the Atlantic to compete in VCT Americas.

From EMEA to Americas

Keiko's time with Team Liquid showcased steady growth and resilience. While 2024 proved challenging for the roster, the team bounced back impressively in 2025. They secured second place at EMEA Kickoff, followed by a third-place finish at Stage 1, and finally managed to win a trophy at VCT EMEA 2025 Stage 2. This victory marked Team Liquid's second regional championship and cemented keiko's reputation as one of the most reliable players in the circuit.

Keiko celebrating with the VCT EMEA Stage 2 trophy (Image Source: Michal Konkol/Riot Games)

The move comes as NRG look to fill the void left by Sam "s0m" Oh, who announced his decision to step back from competitive play following NRG's historic VALORANT Champions 2025 victory. Losing such a core piece of their championship roster would shake any team, but NRG appear confident in their new addition.

Adapting to New Challenges

While keiko and s0m don't share identical playstyles, there's crucial overlap where it matters most. S0m was NRG's primary controller, mainly running Omen across most maps, with Harbor reserved for Abyss.

Keiko, though known for his flashy duelist plays, brings valuable controller experience to the table. He's comfortable on Omen for maps like Ascent, Corrode, and Abyss, and even pulls out Brimstone on Bind when needed.

This flexibility gives NRG options as they adjust to life without s0m. Championship-caliber teams distinguish themselves through adaptation, and NRG will need exactly that heading into 2026. And now with the new Harbor rework going live, expect some adjustments to their map pool and potentially reimagined compositions as they integrate their new fifth.

The signing represents a gamble, but one backed by keiko's demonstrated consistency and capabilities. Only time will tell if this British import can help NRG defend their title.

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Featured Image Source: NRG/@NRGgg on X

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