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Team Liquid has confirmed the departure of Jeong “Impact” Eon-young, one of the most decorated and recognisable top laners in League of Legends history.

The 30-year-old Korean veteran leaves after his second stint with the North American organisation, marking the end of an era that saw him lift six domestic titles and help cement Team Liquid’s dominance in the LCS.

A Farewell Message From Impact

The news came with a heartfelt farewell video, where Impact opened up about his struggles during the 2025 season and his reasons for stepping away.

“I think this year, I didn’t do my job very well,” he admitted. “It sucks, I’m sorry. I think I’d better take a break, like one or two months, and think about what I want to do. Because I feel like, this year especially, I lost my passion too much.”

Impact explained that the joy he once found in the game had faded, and a combination of poor results and personal challenges made it hard to continue. He revealed that a breakup with his long-term girlfriend and Team Liquid’s lack of success contributed heavily to his struggles.

“My problem is that I cannot control my emotions too much because I’m kind of an honest guy,” he said. “I just broke up with my girlfriend too, we dated for six years. At the same time, the team wasn’t doing well. I played poorly. I think I lost my goal in my life.”

Despite the disappointment, he was quick to add that he isn’t walking away from League of Legends entirely. “If I can’t find a new team, then I’ll still do my best, whether that’s practising on my own or helping scrims for other teams, so I’ll be ready when the time comes.”

A Storied Career Across Two Regions

Impact is one of the most experienced players in the scene, with a career spanning more than 13 years.

He first rose to fame in 2013 when he won the World Championship with SK Telecom T1 alongside Faker, cementing his place in esports history. Two years later, he made the move to North America, where he became one of the region’s most consistent and reliable top laners.

Over the years, he competed for Team Impulse, NRG Esports, Cloud9, Evil Geniuses, FlyQuest and, of course, Team Liquid. His time with Liquid is particularly noteworthy, as he remains the only player to help the team secure six LCS/LTA titles and even earn an MVP award.

With Team Liquid failing to qualify for Worlds 2025 after a disappointing playoff run, changes were inevitable. According to the League of Legends Global Contract Database, Impact’s contract was set to expire in November, but his decision to step away arrived early.

What’s Next for Team Liquid

Impact’s departure signals a major shift for Team Liquid heading into the offseason. His long-time teammate Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in also has his contract expiring at the end of the year, leaving Liquid facing a crucial rebuild.

Without Impact, Team Liquid has never won a North American title, a fact that has many fans and analysts doubting their prospects in the upcoming season. LoL betting sites are already tipping them to fall behind rivals like FlyQuest and 100 Thieves.

As for Impact, his immediate future is uncertain. Whether he returns to the LCS with a new team, transitions into a mentoring role, or takes time away to travel and rediscover himself, his legacy as one of League of Legends’ greatest top laners is already secured.