Ninjas In Pyjamas Return To League of Legends By Acquiring Victory Five LPL Spot

After three years out of League of Legends action, esports giants Ninjas in Pyjamas are returning to Summoners Rift.

In a surprise announcement, NiP has revealed that they will be joining a catalyst of huge organisations in LoL, by acquiring a spot in the LPL - the Chinese pro league.

Despite being a Swedish organisation, and previously operating in Europe, NiP has acquired the spot of bottom-ranked team Victory Five. 

The announcement detailed that the partnership will kick off in the 2022 season, starting with the Spring Split.

As to the roster, it is likely that NiP will look to cherry-pick some of the best talents in China, to improve on Victory Five's dismal 2021 campaign. The acquired roster failed to notch up a single game victory in the Summer Split, ending up 0-16. To add salt to the wound, one player was even fined a month's wages by the Chinese organisation, after failing to pick Smite (a pivotal attribute) in the Jungle role versus world silver-medalists Suning, meaning the game was lost within the first five seconds.

NiP join the likes of Suning, FunPlus Phoenix and Top Esports in the LPL, adding to a long list of historic organisations.

Victory Five were also the representative team of the city of Shenzhen, which will be hosting the 2021 World Championships, which NiP will now assume.

NiP's previous stints in League of Legends have been with limited success, often being hindered to the second tier competitions due to a large buy-in for the franchised leagues. This will be their first time in the elite leagues, despite having a LoL history that dates back to 2013.

With Worlds just around the corner, and a usually active transfer window beckoning, Ninjas in Pyjamas will be expected to be making some big-name signings before kicking on in 2022.