Fnatic were stuck in a difficult position when they lost star player Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov – and they’ve found their answer in rising talent Sylvain “Veqaj” Pattyn. The most successful organization in Valorant history unveiled its new recruit in style, introducing him live on stage during a showmatch event.

Fnatic Reveal Veqaj at INZONE London Clash

Rather than a simple social media post, Fnatic decided to officially reveal Veqaj during their live showmatch against GIANTX, marking an immediate debut for the new roster. Upon taking the stage, donning a Fnatic jersey for the first time, Veqaj confirmed he would play the flex role for the team. 

The two teams went head-to-head in a “Fearless” Best of 3 showmatch, where agents picked in a previous map were banned for the remainder of the series. The unique twist made for an entertaining series, with Fnatic bagging the victory 2-1. 

Meet Veqaj – A New Challenger

For many fans, Veqaj might sound like an unfamiliar name. The 21-year-old most recently played for Gentle Mates, where he made his debut at the VCT EMEA level. Before that, Veqaj spent multiple seasons grinding through the French Challengers circuit, where he steadily made a name for himself as one of the country’s top prospects as a Duelist. 

However, Veqaj transitioned into an Initiator role when he joined Gentle Mates. Although the team struggled and finished 0-5 in VCT EMEA Stage 2, he still displayed solid potential and a willingness to learn. 

With a history of playing as a primary Duelist and an Initiator, Veqaj is looking to become Fnatic’s investment in flexibility. He could turn into a secondary Duelist behind Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski, or play other roles left by Chronicle. 

Chronicle Leaves Void That’s Hard to Fill

Replacing Chronicle is really no easy task. He’s the most decorated player in the game’s history and is widely considered one of the greatest of all time. The Russian player served as a central pillar in Fnatic’s historic runs, adding more titles to his cabinet. 

He joined as a champion, and leaves as one of the greatest to ever do it.

For the trophies, the clutches, the laughter, and every moment in between – thank you for everything, @chronicleEZ 🧡 pic.twitter.com/Osngsglifx

— FNATIC (@FNATIC) October 31, 2025

Chronicle’s departure leaves enormous shoes to fill, and all eyes turn to Veqaj to become a sufficient replacement. His arrival shows that Fnatic isn’t afraid to bet on potential rather than picking up another established superstar.

With Jake “Boaster” Howlett leading the team for another year, Veqaj will have one of the best environments possible to grow into a world-class player, and it will be very interesting to see how he and Fnatic develop throughout the year.