Sylvan has found a new home after departing T1, joining Team Secret.
PHILIPPINES – Team Secret have officially confirmed the signing of Ko “Sylvan” Young-sub, the former T1 player and Masters Bangkok champion. The 24-year-old Korean initiator is set to make his return to the VCT Pacific stage in 2026, following a season where he was gradually phased out of T1’s active lineup from Stage 2 onwards.
Sylvan’s addition marks yet another chapter in Team Secret’s ongoing roster rebuild. The organization has been testing multiple players across recent months as they look to reshape their identity after a difficult 2025 season. Among those seen trialing with the team is BOOM Esports duelist Fikri “famouz” Hamdani, who competed during the Predator League Philippines Qualifier.
Prior to joining T1, Sylvan had short stints in China with TOP Esports and Octagonal Disposition Gaming, as well as a run with Gen.G during VCT Pacific 2023. He later returned to Korea, where he signed with T1. With Sylvan in the lineup, T1 went on one of their most successful OFF//SEASON stretches to date, securing titles at Gwangju Esports Series Asia 2024 and Red Bull Home Ground Tokyo, before ultimately capturing their first international trophy at VALORANT Masters Bangkok.
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Sylvan was particularly impressive in his international debut, where he also pulled off a memorable 1v5 clutch on Split against EDward Gaming.
However, T1 spent much of the competitive year experimenting with their starting five. The lineup rotated between Sylvan and former Overwatch star Carpe, with Carpe seeing increased playtime during the latter portion of the Kickoff tournament. Sylvan started in Masters Bangkok and VCT Pacific Stage 1, but eventually was left out of the roster entirely as T1 shifted direction heading into Stage 2.
Team Secret, meanwhile, enter the 2026 season looking to reverse a downward trend. After showing more stable form in 2023 and 2024, the team struggled heavily through 2025, finishing near the bottom in every event.
“There’s a reason we signed him literally the same day as the transfer window opened — we believe in Sylvan and in the team’s prospects this season,” Team Secret CEO John Yao said on signing Masters Bangkok champion Sylvan.
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Cover photo courtesy of Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
