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MAD Lions have completed their League of Legends roster with former Fnatic support Zdravets “Hylissang” Iliev Galabov marking the team’s fourth signing in two days.
The Bulgarian veteran comes in as the final piece of the puzzle ahead of the 2023 League of Legends EMEA Championship Winter Split. The franchise made the announcement via Twitter, a few hours after the 27-year-old player was released by Fnatic.
“After almost five years together, today we say our farewells to @FNCHylissang,” Fnatic’s farewell message read.
“We are immensely proud to have been a part of your journey and grateful for your countless contributions to Fnatic. Your name is truly forged in Black and Orange.”
Hylissang joins MAD Lions after spending almost five years with Fnatic, having joined the franchise in 2018. In his almost decade-long career, the Bulgarian has only represented two franchises, with the MAD Lions becoming the third.
He started out with the German esports team Unicorn of Love, where he spent his first three years as a professional LOL gamer. He won the 2016 IEM Season XI Oakland with the franchise and finished second in the 2017 EU LEC Spring tournament after losing to G2 Esports in the grand final.
In his first season with Fnatic, Hylissang clinched the EU LEC Spring and Summer championships, decimating G2 Esports and FC Schalke 04 Esports in their respective grand finals. In the same season, he was denied a grand final spot by Royal Never Give Up at the 2018 Mid-Season Invitational but got a final appearance at the LoL World Championship, where Fnatic were bested by Invictus Gaming.
Hylissang has since the summer of 2018 found it difficult to clinch a regional title, having finished in second place in four LEC playoff appearances with the black-and-orange team. Despite a highly decorated career, he is yet to get his hands on an international trophy.
Having been with Fnatic for the longest part of his career, it would take some getting used to for fans to see the Bulgarian under the banner of another franchise. MAD Lions, on the other hand, cannot wait to see Hylissang’s aggressive playing style complemented by their newly signed ADC, Matyáš “Carzzy” Orság.
Both players had previously expressed their desire to play alongside each other for the 2023 LEC season. The duo has been described as the “explosive firepower” in the MAD Lions’ star-studded roster.
The Spanish organization’s complete roster now features support Hylissang, bot laner Carzzy, top laner Kim “Chasy” Dong-hyeon, jungler Javier “Elyoya” Prades, and mid laner Yasin “Nisqy” Dinçer. James “Mac” MacCormack will continue in his capacity as head coach alongside his assistant, Patrick “Pad” Suckow-Breum.
