Tang “TZH” Zhehao’s move from FunPlus Phoenix to Dragon Ranger Gaming has been confirmed.
CHINA – Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) have confirmed the signing of former FunPlus Phoenix player Tang “TZH” Zhehao (唐哲昊) for the inaugural VCT CN season.
The 24-year-old controller’s transfer, previously circulating on Weibo over the past week, marks the first official player movement within the tier-one VCT CN scene. Further transfers are anticipated to take place and be announced in the upcoming days and weeks as teams seek to finalize their best compositions in preparation for the league in Shanghai.
“Though the path of this new chapter is unknown, I believe I will only get better with each passing year. Let’s go, DRG!” TZH said on Weibo.
Having been a part of FunPlus Phoenix during the 2023 season, TZH gained international exposure with two appearances in São Paulo for VCT LOCK//IN and Los Angeles for VALORANT Champions. His last venture with the black-and-red banner culminated in a second runners-up finish in the China Evolution Series Act III event, where the team fell short to eventual champions EDward Gaming after an impressive run through the lower bracket.
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Prior to his time with FPX, TZH also plied his trade for the likes of Royal Never Give Up and LIZHI in the first year of VALORANT, during which he shared the same banner with current EDG member Wang “nobody” Senxu.
Dragon Ranger Gaming earned a spot in the VCT CN League through the Ascension route, securing their participation for the upcoming 2024 and 2025 seasons. However, due to disparities in roster rules between Challengers and VCT, the team’s maximum allowed import players has been reduced from two to one.
Considering DRG’s roster currently includes two imports, Ilya “vo0kashu” Ushakov from Russia and Yu “Zeno” Zhi Jun from Singapore, and with TZH coming in as a 1:1 replacement for Zeno in the controller position, it is anticipated that the Singaporean player will be out from the starting five.
TZH will make his first appearance as a DRG member in the inaugural VCT CN League season, which is set to kick off on February 22.
With this change, Dragon Ranger Gaming now have:
- 🇹🇼 Shao “Nicc” Yi-qun
- 🇹🇼 Chen “TvirusLuke” Ching
- 🇷🇺 Ilya “vo0kashu” Ushakov
- 🇨🇳 He “YuChEn” Cai
- 🇨🇳 Wei “Dingwei” Ding-wei
- 🇸🇬 Yu “Zeno” Zhi Jun
- 🇨🇳 Tang “TZH” Zhehao
- 🇨🇳 Huang “LT” Biaohong (Coach)
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Cover photo courtesy of Stefan Wisnoski/Riot Games