Jankos Leaving G2 League of Legends After 5-Year Run
League of Legends jungler Marcin "Jankos" Jankowski announced he will be leaving G2 Esports ahead of the 2023 season.
Jankos, 27, dropped the news in a YouTube video Saturday, revealing that he still wants to compete "domestically at the highest level" and that G2 came to a decision that they want to bring in a new jungler next year.
I'm still under contract, but after 5 years with G2, I've been allowed to explore my options for 2023. It was a long journey with ups and downs, but eventually all things have to come to an end
— Marcin Jankowski (@G2Jankos) October 22, 2022
For anyone interested, please contact : marcel@proxy.gg pic.twitter.com/Ckvu83QrBE
"I do want to still compete," Jankos said in the video, "and I did not intend on retiring. I also actually didn't think about leaving G2, but then G2 also made the decision that they want to try with a different jungler next year. In my opinion, it makes perfect sense. Why do I think so? It's because I've been in this org for like five years now.
"I feel like I've been a part of this team for so long now that changing environments for me can actually be beneficial. Like changing teams, wherever I end up, I feel like if I really want to give it my best for the last couple of years I have left in me, it will be good for me to play with different players maybe under a different org just trying something else. Hopefully, that will help me grow."
As mentioned by Jankos, the move caps off a near-five-year run with the European organization in which he perhaps cemented himself as the greatest European jungler of all-time. On G2, Jankos racked up two LEC MVP awards, 13 All-Pro Team selections, five LEC titles, the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational trophy and three consecutive top-four finishes at Worlds.
Don't be sad its over. Be happy that it happened ♥️
— Marcin Jankowski (@G2Jankos) October 22, 2022
In 2022, G2 came into the year with plenty of doubters after picking up Sergen "BrokenBlade" Çelik, Victor "Flakked" Lirola and Raphaël "Targamas" Crabbé. G2 finished first in the LEC Spring Split and was the runner-up in the Summer Split. G2 also placed top four at MSI but fell in the group stage at Worlds.
"I think my end with G2 is actually like a good end," Jankos said. "I feel like both of us were happy. Not like happy that we are leaving each other, but I just feel like I had really the best years of my life in G2 as a competitor. Me leaving the team is not like we are fighting, it's more like a mutual, like I understand them and they understand me. I think it makes sense from both parties."