Team Liquid’s offseason recruit Mads ‘Broxah’ Brock-Pedersen is finally set to make his long-awaited LCS debut, the jungler has confirmed, after the Dane’s visa saga came to an end earlier this week.
After struggling to make a splash in international waters, Team Liquid turned their focus to tweaking their championship League of Legends roster. The NA powerhouse turned to the LEC, scooping up Fnatic’s Worlds finalist jungler.
Broxah’s hop across the Atlantic hit a snag almost immediately. Due to the way P-1A athlete visas work, he found himself caught in a loggerhead, and was forced to watch from Denmark as TL began their campaign with Shern ‘Shernfire’ Tai.
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As the third week of play approaches, however, Broxah and Liquid were both handed a hefty helping of good news: the Danish star’s visa had been approved.
“I’m going to have a hard time to stop smiling while telling you this, because my visa got approved,” Broxah announced on Twitter on February 6. The newest LCS recruit admitted he couldn’t contain his excitement at the saga finally ending.
“I couldn’t be any happier about this, and it’s such a relief that I finally have my visa and can soon travel to Los Angeles to join up with my team, to get to participate and play some games in the LCS. I’m just really excited, and happy.
“I haven’t been able to travel while the visa delays were happening. Luckily enough, we’re on the other side of it. Thanks to all of you who have been supporting me and cheering for me in this past month. I can’t wait… I can’t wait!”
Visa update, today is a great day. pic.twitter.com/7tSLsyWM9E
— Broxah (@BroxahLoL) February 6, 2020
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Broxah’s arrival comes after four games have already been played in the 2020 Spring Split, including against early pacesetters Cloud9 (4–0) and Dignitas (3–1). Liquid suffered close defeats at the hands of both.
Where the NA champions did collect their victories were against Team SoloMid in the debut Monday night LCS fixtures, and against this split’s surprise package FlyQuest, who have won three of their opening four matches.
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While Shernfire was far from useless in Broxah’s absence, many are predicting the Danish star to warp TL’s mid-jungle synergy, and the rest of the map — in a positive way — once he finally settles into North American life.
Last season, Broxah shone for a Fnatic outfit struggling to keep pace with the unstoppable G2 Esports in the LEC. Early on he was included in conversations for MVP, though the award eventually went to Marcin ‘Jankos’ Jankowski.
Liquid fans will be hoping their newest import signing can bring that same flair to NA with some of his favorite picks like Lee Sin and Elise, which he was undefeated on in Summer, and both of which shine in the current gank-heavy meta.
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Unfortunately, it looks like they may have one more weekend of waiting to do before they get to see their new star in action, after the org’s co-owner Steve Arhancet revealed the visa process would still take a few days.
Shernfire is expected to play two more games for the champions, starting with their Saturday meeting with 100 Thieves (2–2). The Australian star is also expected to take to the Rift in the Monday Night League matchup against Golden Guardians.
Then, on Saturday, February 15, the wait should finally be over. The Great Dane is expected to make his Championship Series debut against Immortals first-up in Week 4. He will also meet Counter Logic Gaming in his first round.
