According to a report by Upcomer, Gabriël "Bwipo" Rau has made a verbal agreement to compete with Team Liquid for the upcoming 2022 LCS season.

Due to the reported departure of star Barney “Alphari” Morris, who is reported to be joining Team Vitality alongside Luka “Perkz” Perković for the LEC’s 2022 season, Bwipo is expected to return to his original position of top lane following his roleswap to jungle before the 2021 LEC Summer Split. Though Bwipo was reportedly open to offers in a variety of positions, the European veteran has reportedly preferred his long-time role in the top lane.

The move comes after Bwipo’s reported refusal to renew his contract with Fnatic shortly after the team’s early exit from the 2021 League of Legends World Championship.

Fnatic finished 1-5 in Group C in large part due to the absence of star AD carry Elias "Upset" Lipp, who was unable to compete in Worlds 2021 at the last minute due to a personal matter. 

The agreement is only one of the major moves Team Liquid is looking at this offseason. TL is also reportedly considering signing multiple LCS champion and MVP Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg, who was announced to be returning to competition, as well as refusing to play for TSM. The possible move also sees current TL mid laner Nicolaj "Jensen" Jensen swapping positions to the bottom lane — playing AD carry alongside support Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in.

Bwipo is one of the most successful Western top laners in history. With Fnatic he has been voted to several All-Pro teams, and won two European Championships. Internationally, he has appeared four times at Worlds, competing in the finals for Worlds 2018. He was one of the last older players in the European organization’s rapid change. Though many were initially puzzled by his move to the jungle in 2021 LEC Summer, he proved effective in the role and helped Fnatic qualify for Worlds this year.