In an announcement on TSM's social media page, the organization has announced that it will be parting ways with mid laner Zhu "Keaiduo" Xiong. TSM explained that "Due to the upsurge in COVID cases in China, Keaiduo will stay in NA until it is safe to return home. During that time he will continue to train with us while also receiving pay and housing." Keaiduo's time with the North American juggernaut was short — his involvement with the organization lasting less than half of a year.
The news follows a disappointing season for TSM. After the organization experienced their worst start in history, the team was unable to place higher than ninth for the regular season of the LCS 2022 Spring Split. In the middle of the split, TSM moved Keaiduo down to their Academy squad — allowing Ji “Takeover” Cha Hyeun-min to take over the team's LCS mid lane responsibilities. Keaiduo's luck did not change much with this move, as TSM Academy had a disappointing 13-16th placement at LCS Proving Grounds 2022 Spring.
The move to sign Keaiduo came after the organization was unable to sign the team's former coach and mid laner Søren "Bjergsen" Bjerg — the star player opting to sign with rival organization Team Liquid instead. Keaiduo appeared to be part of the vision TSM CEO Andy "Reginald" Dinh had laid out for the organization after Bjergsen's departure, stating, "We intend to focus on up and coming players, and to build our team culture around these rising stars." Keaiduo was one of those up and coming players — having only competed with TT Young in China secondary LDL league for one year before joining TSM. The NA organization has made no announcements about their mid lane plans for the 2022 LCS Summer Split.
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