CandyPanda and SK Gaming part ways

This article was originally published on GameSpot's sister site onGamers.com, which was dedicated to esports coverage.

Adrian 'CandyPanda' Wubbelman, the longest standing member of the old SK line-up is officially parting ways with the organisation. Bearing the SK flag for almost 3 years together with brief on and offs, Adrian will no longer represent the team. The player announced the split via twitter and stated that he is a free agent if there are interested parties out there.

Sources suggest former Copenhagen Wolves ace FORG1VEN is on try-outs with the SK team. In addition, NielXD (also known as Zvanillan) is also considered as a potential replacement. Zvanillan was a part of the first inception of SK Prime under the management of Joe 'InnerFlame' Elouassi.

CandyPanda joined SK Gaming in June 2011 together with Patrick 'Nyph' Funke, both hailing from GAMED.de - a German mix which finished 6th in the Season 1 Championship. Off the bat, the line-up established itself as one of the strongest in Europe, finishing third at IEM Guangzhou and runner-up at IEM New York, losing to CounterLogic Gaming and Fnatic respectively.

IEM Kiev became a turning point in Adrian's career. After a disappointing 4th place finish, SK replaced him with Bora 'YellowStar' Kim with whom they participated in the Season 2 World Championships in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the line-up did not last long and CandyPanda returned along with a transformed and stronger SK Gaming - kev1n, hyrqbot, Ocelote, CandyPanda and Nyph, to participate in the first edition of the LCS.

The Spring split went well for the quintet - they reached the playoff stage, but were halted by an inspired EG squad. The true test became the Summer split which determined who went on to compete at the Season 3 World Finals. Unbeknownst to many, internal issues plagued the line-up and their inability to qualify for the largest LoL forum was the final straw. Going into Season 4, CandyPanda found himself once again surrounded by new teammates - rookie Jesiz, jungler Svenskeren, top laner Fredy122 and countryman nRated.

Season 4 was undoubtedly CandyPanda's most successful season. A second place in the Spring split and third in the Summer ensured that he would participate in the Season 4 World Championships in Seoul Korea. Unfortunately, SK could not overcome TSM and StarHorn Royal club to advance into the playoff stage.

Image courtesy of lolesports