The remarkable journey between Karmine Corp and Vladimiros "Vladi" Kourtidis is set to continue for at least another year. On Sunday, the Blue Wall announced the contract extension of its midlaner until 2027. "Following our victory in the LEC finals, Karmine Corp is activating Vladi's contract extension clause," the club wrote on X, accompanying the announcement with a high-quality video. According to the League of Legends Global Contract Database, the Greek player had previously been under contract until November 2026.

Vladi joined KC in January 2024 to compete in the LFL with the academy team, Karmine Corp Blue. He quickly made a name for himself, winning the French championship in his very first split. After a quarterfinal exit at the EMEA Masters Spring 2024, things accelerated for the former Nativz player. The KC’s underwhelming performances at the LEC level prompted the organization to make roster changes.

After finishing tenth in both of its first two splits in the EMEA elite, Karmine Corp opted to overhaul its topside. Vladi was promoted to replace a club legend, Lucas "Saken" Fayard. While he initially showed some struggles in the laning phase, he played a crucial role in KC's resurgence, leading the team to a fourth-place finish in the Summer Split. However, that result ultimately proved inconsequential, as the team’s prior performances prevented it from qualifying for the Season Finals and, by extension, the Worlds.

Winter Split MVP

Given his steady improvement, it was no surprise that KC chose to retain its young midlaner, now 19, for the current season. That decision has proven to be an excellent one. Vladi has significantly refined his laning phase and has established himself as one of the league’s top midlaners. More impressively, he became the first European midlaner to completely dismantle Rasmus "Caps" Winther over an entire BO5, during KC’s dominant 3-0 victory in the Winter Split finals. His performances, particularly in the playoffs against G2 Esports and Fnatic, earned him the title of Split MVP from Sheep Esports. According to Sheep Stats, Vladi was also the highest-rated midlaner of the LEC Winter Split, scoring 71/100.

Statistically, he boasts the best KDA among players in his role (5.55), the second-highest CS per minute (9.02), and the lowest average number of deaths per game (2.04). Still in the midst of his development, it makes perfect sense for Karmine Corp to secure one of its rising stars for the long term. He will now have the opportunity to further hone his skills on the international stage, as he and KC are currently competing in their first global event, First Stand, against the champions of the four other regions: Hanwha Life Esports (LCK), Top Esports (LPL), Team Liquid (LTA), and CTBC Flying Oysters (LCP).