Cloud9 Complete 2027 Valorant Roster With alym, Derrek And nightz
Cloud9 have completed its VALORANT roster for the 2027 season, naming Torogul "alym" Baidyldaev, Derrek "Derrek" Ha and Christian "nightz" Smith on November 7, 2026.
The North American organisation says its open trials are over.
For anyone tracking America's esports betting lines, the new five now has a fixed date to play for: the Kickoff qualifier playoffs on November 20.
The New Five
Cloud9 confirmed the signings in a post on X that read: The trials are complete and the team has its roster. The lineup is Cameron "FireBallOps" Tomaselli, Conner "GLYPH" Garcia, alym, Derrek and nightz.
FireBallOps is the only player kept from the 2026 year-end squad. GLYPH had been signed earlier in the week and returns after almost five years away from the top level, VLR.gg reported.
All three new arrivals have played Tier 1 VALORANT. alym spent 2026 with FURIA as the team's entry duelist, and Spike.gg notes he won a regional title with that squad. nightz joined ENVY mid-season and mainly played controller.
Derrek has the longest record of the three: he played for M80 and QoR in 2026 and has previously been on Rise, 100 Thieves and Evil Geniuses.
Why The Rebuild Happened
Cloud9 were not chosen as one of the four North American partner teams for the next phase of the Valorant Champions Tour, which triggered a clear-out.
Jackk and v1c were allowed to explore their options. IGL Zellsis and longtime player OXY left and have since landed at Sentinels.
Roster-building was also constrained by import rules. Spike.gg reports that teams competing in North America were limited to two import slots, which narrowed the options for a side that wanted recent Tier 1 experience.
Ian "Immi" Harding remains on the staff alongside the five players.
What Comes Next
Cloud9 will start in the Americas Kickoff qualifier playoffs on November 20, as stated in the team's own post. They are one of eight invited North American teams, along with ENVY, Shopify Rebellion Black, SaD Esports, YFP X, QoR and Shopify Rebellion Gold, as listed by Spike.gg.
An invite does not guarantee a place at Kickoff. It puts a team straight into the 16-team playoff field late in the qualifier, rather than starting in the open stage.
VLR.gg lists Cloud9 at number 13 in its North America rankings, while Shopify Rebellion Black sit at number five. Cloud9 will therefore face several established rivals in the playoff field, and early results will quickly show whether the rebuild has worked.
Followers of the circuit can compare the new lineups on our esports betting hub, and readers who want to wager on matches should do so only with licensed operators.
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