Paper Rex has announced the departure of captain d4v41 and player Jinggg, both of whom were part of the Masters Toronto championship team, following an early exit from Champions 2026. As the free agency period opens across all regions, the Singaporean organisation has chosen to undergo a rebuilding phase despite ensuring their position as a VCT Pacific partner.
The core of Paper Rex’s VALORANT squad is undergoing significant changes. With the onset of the 2027 season, the Singapore-based organisation is parting ways with its captain and a prominent player. d4v41, who has been with Paper Rex since its inception in 2020, initially played on the CS:GO team before transitioning with the roster to VALORANT. Jinggg, on the other hand, joined the team on September 28, 2021.
Neither player has publicly declared their next destination. In a farewell video released by Paper Rex, d4v41 expressed his intent to join a new team. Jinggg shared on X about his eagerness for what lies ahead. d4v41 also encouraged fans to continue supporting the organisation even after their departures.
A strong 2026 culminated in an early exit from Champions
The decision to part ways comes after a season that ended on a disappointing note. Paper Rex had impressive performances as runners-up at both Masters Santiago and Masters London earlier in 2026. At the Champions event held in Shanghai, they faced a 2-0 loss against LOUD in the upper-bracket quarter-finals on October 7. Subsequently, a 2-1 defeat to T1 in the lower-bracket round one concluded their journey on October 9. This tournament featured a total prize pool of $2,250,000, with LOUD eventually defeating Team Vitality to clinch the title.
The duo concludes their tenure with a rich history. Jinggg was instrumental in leading Paper Rex to a second-place finish at Masters Copenhagen in 2022 and played a key role in the team’s ascent to the Champions 2023 final, where they finished as runners-up. According to Liquipedia, both players were part of the roster that secured victory at VCT 2025 Masters Toronto.
A secure partner spot allows for a strategic rebuild
The impending roster changes are not a result of league pressure. IMPLS Entertainment Pte Ltd. owns the organisation, and with Riot reducing the number of partner teams in each region from ten to eight for the 2027-28 cycle, there will now be 32 partner teams spanning the four regions.
This Pacific format provides a competitive edge. The eight partner teams will receive seeded slots at the Kickoff event scheduled for January 2027, while four additional spots will be available to teams that progress through open qualifiers. Consequently, Paper Rex can revamp their roster without the necessity of re-qualifying.
The availability of two Masters champions in the open market may have implications extending beyond the Pacific region. The eight partner teams in EMEA for 2027 include Fnatic, BBL Esports, FUT Esports, Team Heretics, Team Liquid, Gentle Mates, Karmine Corp, and Team Vitality. According to Riot’s regulations for open qualifiers, the majority of regions require three out of five players on a team to originate from that specific region. Furthermore, teams are obligated to retain at least three players out of five between events to ensure the progress of their lineup. These regulations will influence how comprehensively any team can undergo a rebuild with new signings.
Open qualifiers are set to kick off later in November, followed by the first Masters event of the season in February 2027.
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