Fnatic Signs Empyros as Top Laner for 2026 LEC Roster
European giants Fnatic have officially announced their first roster move for the 2026 LEC season, signing promising Greek top laner Panagiotis “Empyros” Tantis on December 15, 2025.
The 21 year old rookie steps up from the French LFL circuit, marking the start of a “whole week of announcements” as teased by the organization.
Fnatic, seven-time LEC champions, endured a frustrating 2025 with strong domestic showings, 1st in Winter regular season, 2nd in Spring and Summer but a winless top 16 exit at Worlds.
This signing signals a bold rebuild, benching incumbent Oscarinin (contract until Nov 2026) after multiple top lane experiments.
Official Announcement
Fnatic dropped the bombshell via X, welcoming @EmpyrosGRE with a hype image and a player intro video. “The start of a whole week of announcements,” read the post, hinting at more reveals soon. LFL officials celebrated sending another talent to Europe’s top tier, noting his one LFL season and two EMEA Masters runs.
The start of a whole week of announcements.
Welcome @EmpyrosGRE as our top laner for 2026! pic.twitter.com/TgD4qFNeDX
— FNATIC (@FNATIC) December 15, 2025
Empyros’ Rise
Born April 1, 2004, Empyros burst onto the scene as Jaxplank alongside rumored Fnatic mid laner Vladi on Riddle Esports’ 2022 NLC Summer roster. In 2025 with Gentle Mates, he secured 3rd place in LFL Spring and Summer Splits, plus a top 8 at EMEA Masters Spring impressive for tier two.
A carry oriented playstyle defines him: “I like to play carries,” he shared in his Fnatic debut video. Scrims are “going better than expected,” and he loves his new teammates.
Empyros isn’t shying from pressure: “2026 will be an interesting year… I would like to go to Worlds as a rookie… we are going to win and lose as a team.” He aims to “impress fans with my gameplay.”
Since: October 29, 2025
