CTBC Flying Oyster has officially kicked off its rebuild for the 2026 season with a major signing. The organisation has confirmed that Zhao “Shad0w” Zhiqiang will join the team as its new jungler, bringing elite international experience from both Europe and China to the LCP.

Welcome Shad0w

We are pleased to announce CFO’s new Jungler Shad0w. After competing in LEC and LPL he ready to apply his many skillsets to the LCP. With his vast knowledge and flexible playstyle, we hope to show you what we can achieve pic.twitter.com/Hh7OdA3uUU

— CTBC Flying Oyster(CFO) (@CTBC_cfo) December 16, 2025

After a historic year on the global stage, the move signals CFO’s intent to remain competitive while reshaping its roster following a wave of departures.

Shad0w Brings Rare International Pedigree

Shad0w arrives at CTBC Flying Oyster as one of the few players in League of Legends history to have won championships in two major regions. The Italian jungler began his professional career in Europe with MAD Lions, now known as KOI, before making the move to China, where he spent five years competing in the LPL.

During his time in China, Shad0w represented multiple teams and built a strong reputation for intelligent jungle pathing, strong early game control, and the ability to adapt against top tier opposition. His experience across different playstyles and metas has made him a respected figure among international fans and analysts alike.

In 2025, Shad0w reached a career defining milestone with Bilibili Gaming. As part of a six man roster, he won LPL 2025 Split 3, becoming the first European player to ever claim an LPL title.

CTBC Flying Oyster welcomed Shad0w by highlighting his vast knowledge and flexible playstyle, expressing confidence that he can help the team take its next step in the LCP.

CFO’s Historic 2025 Campaign

The signing comes after a landmark year for CTBC Flying Oyster. In 2025, the team recorded a historic run by nearly every metric, becoming the only organisation to compete in every League of Legends international tournament throughout the year.

That consistency translated into standout performances at Worlds 2025. CFO secured Swiss stage victories over T1, Fnatic, and FlyQuest, firmly establishing itself as a team no opponent could afford to underestimate.

Most notably, CTBC Flying Oyster qualified for the Worlds 2025 Playoffs, becoming the first team from the Pacific region in over a decade to reach the knockout stage. The achievement marked a defining moment for both the organisation and the LCP, bringing unprecedented international attention to the region.

Roster Changes After Worlds 2025

While the success of 2025 elevated CFO’s profile, it also triggered significant roster changes. Strong performances at Worlds drew interest from overseas organisations, and the lineup began to break apart in the months that followed.

Mid laner Tsai “HongQ” Ming Hong and jungler Yu “JunJia” Chun Chia both departed for JD Gaming. Top laner Shen “Driver” Tsung Hua also moved on after serving as CFO’s primary top laner throughout the 2025 season. Support Ling “Kaiwing” Kai Wing left as well, bringing an end to one of the most impactful rosters in the organisation’s history.

In total, four members of CTBC Flying Oyster’s 2025 roster exited following Worlds, each seeking new challenges and higher competitive peaks in other regions.

Eyes on the 2026 LCP Season

Reproducing the results of 2025 will be a daunting task, but the signing of Shad0w underlines CFO’s ambition to stay among the world’s elite. By investing in proven international experience, the organisation is clearly aiming to balance rebuilding with continued global competitiveness.

As preparations for the 2026 LCP season continue, all eyes will be on how Shad0w integrates into the lineup and whether CTBC Flying Oyster can once again defy expectations on the international stage.

The post CTBC Flying Oyster Locks In Shad0w for 2026 LCP Push appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) has officially made history, with CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO) becoming the first-ever champions of the brand-new league. The Taiwanese squad lifted the trophy this past weekend in Da Nang, Vietnam, after a flawless run that capped off a season of dominance.

Victory Dance ft. CFO Driver pic.twitter.com/rYdknyXJTN

— LCP (@lolpacificen) September 21, 2025

CFO sweep the Finals

The grand final at the Tien Son Sport Center saw CFO face off against Team Secret Whales (TSW), who had stunned PSG Talon with a massive upset in the lower bracket final. But there would be no miracle run this time. CFO swept the series 3-0, showcasing their trademark coordination and teamfighting that has made them the region’s standout squad.

Despite TSW managing to keep things competitive in the early skirmishes, CFO’s superior macro play and decisive fights meant they never dropped a game. The win marks another perfect split for the team, who went undefeated across the entire season.

HongQ shines as Finals MVP

Once again, mid laner HongQ proved to be CFO’s star. The young talent earned the Finals MVP title, continuing his rise as one of the region’s brightest prospects.
“I’m really glad we were able to win 3-0 and become champions,” HongQ said after the victory. “I feel all my teammates played very well. There were a lot of fans in the stadium today, and that made the atmosphere very lively.”

With this result, CFO have now secured their spot at Worlds 2025 in China. Having already appeared at both First Stand and MSI earlier in the year, they’ve become the first-ever team to qualify for all three international tournaments under the new three-split format.

A milestone event for the LCP

The finals weren’t just about the matches. The LCP turned the weekend into a festival, featuring game booths, showmatches, and sponsor activations from the likes of Mastercard, Taiwan Tourism Administration Vietnam, Sony Vietnam, Suntory Pepsico Vietnam Beverage, and Wink Hotels.

“Congratulations to CFO on becoming champions, it was well deserved,” said Piotr Pilich, Head of Product, Esports, LCP. “All three teams delivered a spectacular finale to our debut season, and we couldn’t ask for a better show. A big thank you to all the fans who turned up to support, I’m sure the teams felt your energy and fed off it. Now, we look ahead to Worlds, and I’m confident our representatives will make us proud and finish the year strong.”

Viewership numbers peaked at 272,263 during TSW’s upset win over PSG, with the grand final reaching a high of 257,076 viewers according to Esports Charts. While slightly lower than last split’s peak of 483,444, much of that dip is attributed to the absence of fan favourites GAM Esports.

What’s next: Worlds 2025

With CFO crowned as the first LCP champions, all eyes now turn to the League of Legends World Championship in October. CFO, PSG Talon, and Team Secret Whales will represent the Pacific region as they face the world’s best from the LPL, LCK, LEC, and LTA.

The action begins on 14 October with the play-in stage, where T1 and the LPL’s fourth seed will be among the opening challengers. As the Pacific’s kings, CFO will look to carry their undefeated momentum to the biggest stage of them all.

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