FC Schalke 04 Esports is making a change in the jungler position for the 2021 League of Legends European Championship Summer Split. Thomas “Kirei” Yuen will be donning the royal blue this summer in place of previous S04 jungler Erberk "Gilius" Demir.

This is not the first change S04 has made to its roster ahead of summer. Mid laner Felix "Abbedagge" Braun was bought out by 100 Thieves, and the organization has stated that FC Schalke 04 Evolution mid laner Ilias "Nuclearint" Bizriken will be stepping up to the LEC roster. 

Abbedagge and Gilius have been the beating heart of FC Schalke 04 Esports for the past calendar year, including the team's 'miracle run' in the 2020 LEC Summer Split and its 4th place finish this past spring. While the roster still retains the other 3/5 of itself in top laner Sergen "Broken Blade" Çelik, AD carry Matúš "Neon" Jakubčík, and support Dino "LIMIT" Tot, there's a very real possibility than Schalke 04 has a different look and style without its former 1-2 mid-jungle punch. 

Schalke 04 provided more context on the situation surrounding Gilius following the announcement of Kirei's signing, stating that playing with Kirei felt natural for the rest of the team and an  acknowledgment of Gilius' individual shortcomings that were on display for parts of the LEC Spring Split. Gilius is currently still with FC Schalke 04 Esports as its substitute jungler, but has been given permission by the team to explore his options.

Kirei has been playing professionally since the end of 2014, but the veteran has spent most of his time playing in various European regional leagues. Kirei also played in North America for Dignitas in the 2016 NA League of Legends Championship Series Spring Split. Starting for FC Schalke 04 Esports this summer will be Kirei's first time on the LEC stage since his time with Misfits Gaming in 2019.