Joblife are ready to defend their titles as the two-time champion of VCL France 2024, having finalized their roster for the upcoming season. According to Sheep Esports sources, Rikardo “WACKIE” Birjukov, Patryk “starxo” Kopczyński, Adam “Jesse” Čtvrtníček and Alex “AKUMAAAAA” Bello are joining the organization for next season's VALORANT French Championship. They will team up with Bartosz “UNFAKE” Bernacki, whose agreement with the team was previously reported by Sheep Esports.
Of the four recruits, AKUMAAAAA and Jesse are the only ones familiar with the French league. The first is a former Counter-Strike player who joined Mandatory in 2022 and won the Coupe de France during his first year with the organization. Then he endured two frustrating seasons with the Hammer: Mandatory reached three consecutive finals between 2023 and 2024 but failed to secure a single victory. In Split 1 of 2024, Mandatory lost to Joblife in the final. AKUMAAAAA wrapped up his tenure with Adrien “ZeratoR” Nougaret's squad with a 4th-place finish in VCL France.
Indeed, in the Split 2 final of 2024, Joblife defeated Valiant—and Jesse. The Czech player had spent two years with Valiant, even securing a title in 2023, the same as AKUMAAAAA the previous year: the Coupe de France. Jesse’s strong performances in VCL France earned him a stint with Barça Esports, where he competed in the Main Event of the Ascension tournament after Valiant was eliminated during the play-in stage. Unfortunately, the Blaugranas were knocked out in the group phase.
A world champion seeking redemption
WACKIE’s 2024 journey mirrored Joblife’s in many ways. Competing with Dsyre, the Estonian flex player secured both VCL Italy Splits, adding to his 2023 Split 2 victory with the same team. He also recorded the league's second-highest 2.0 rating in both splits of 2024. However, like Joblife, WACKIE’s team was eliminated during the group phase of the EMEA Ascension tournament, finishing with an identical record of two wins and two losses.
Starxo’s path has been markedly different. The Polish player has spent the last two years with KOI in the VCT EMEA.. In 2023, his team placed ninth overall and ended the next season's two splits at the bottom of their group. Despite these setbacks, starxo has demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level of Riot Games' FPS, having been crowned world champion with Acend in 2021.
Joblife's 2025 VCL France reported roster:
- Rikardo “WACKIE” Birjukov
- Patryk “starxo” Kopczyński
- Alex “AKUMAAAAA” Bello
- Bartosz “UNFAKE” Bernacki
- Adam “Jesse” Čtvrtníček
For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub.
Header Photo Credit: Joblife/Liquipedia/Sheep Esports