FunPlus Phoenix has announced the signing of Zhao “JieJie” Li-Jie, who officially joins the roster after parting ways with Invictus Gaming earlier this month. The move marks FPX’s fifth change in the jungle role this year, underscoring the team’s ongoing search for stability in one of the most crucial positions on the Rift.

For JieJie, the transfer represents both a fresh start and a high-stakes gamble. The 23-year-old jungler is best known for his long and decorated tenure with EDward Gaming, where he claimed the Summoner’s Cup in 2021 and earned a reputation as one of the LPL’s most consistent and level-headed players. His career, however, has been on a different trajectory since leaving EDG.

Sidelined by Invictus Gaming

JieJie joined Invictus Gaming at the beginning of 2025 as part of an ambitious “super team” project built around veteran talent. Expectations were high, but the results fell short of qualifying for international competition. IG placed 7th–8th in Split 1, then rallied to a third-place finish in Split 2. The improvement, however, was not enough to secure a spot at the Mid-Season Invitational or the Esports World Cup, with Anyone’s Legend and Bilibili Gaming carrying the LPL banner instead.

Though JieJie showed flashes of his old composure, he struggled to bring a title or lead the team to an international event. When IG signed Yan “Wei” Yang-Wei, coming from BLG at the start of Split 3, JieJie found himself sidelined completely — no scrim time, no matchday appearances, and weeks spent away from the team. His eventual departure was widely expected, ending what became a short-lived and bittersweet chapter in his career.

A chance at revival

Now, JieJie steps into FPX, a team that has cycled through junglers at a dizzying pace in 2025. The role was first occupied by Li "sorrow" De-Ming before being quickly replaced by Zhao "Shad0w" Zhi-Qiang at the beginning of the year. As Shad0w went to BiliBili Gaming after Split 2, the team shifted to play with Ma "iyy" Chen-Shuo, their academy jungler, for Split 3, before welcoming Cai "milkyway" Zi-Jun back for a short period of time. They now bring in a former world champion, signaling an intent to stabilize their roster with experience and leadership, finally. JieJie’s trademark reliability could be the anchor they need — if he can find synergy with the squad and adapt to their evolving playstyle in a very short time.

The story of FPX and JieJie is now tied together by necessity. A team desperate for consistency and a player eager for redemption. One thing is certain: the end of this season and the remainder of Split 3 will lay the foundations for a potential rebuild of FunPlus Phoenix next year.