Sentinels sign OXY from Cloud9 for VCT 2027

Sentinels OXY is the first big move of the Sentinels rebuild for VCT 2027. Cloud9's long-serving Duelist Francis "OXY" Hoang has joined the team, according to a vlr.gg report on November 3.

The signing comes days after Sentinels parted ways with JonahP and Jerrwin. It is the first clear step away from a disappointing 2026 season.

Why does the Sentinels OXY signing matter?

vlr.gg calls it arguably the signing of the offseason so far in VCT Americas. OXY has been one of the most lethal Duelists in the region for years. His numbers, however, never turned into results for his team.

Cloud9 were one of a handful of partnered teams from 2023 to 2026 that never reached an international event. Their best VCT Americas finish was fourth place in Stage 2 last year. By the end of his three seasons there, OXY was the club's longest-tenured player.

OXY's career so far

OXY has played Valorant since 2021. He moved through teams such as Vireo.pro, YFP, Knights Academy, Dark Ratio and G2 Esports before joining Cloud9. There he played alongside Xeppaa, vanity and jakee. In his final season he took on a veteran role next to v1c, Zellsis and rookies FireBallOps and Jackk.

vlr.gg writes that Sentinels want an all-out pivot after a poor year, and that OXY may well be the player to bring that change. An aggressive entry Duelist looks like the piece the team needed most.

How did Sentinels' 2026 season go?

Sentinels reached five international events across 2024 and 2025. 2026 was the opposite. The team missed the international stage entirely. Their best results were 9th-10th place finishes in the Americas Kickoff and Stage 1, and they bowed out of the 16-team Stage 2 in 11th-12th.

With their partner slot secured for the next phase of VCT, Sentinels can target the best players from teams that missed out. Read more in our story on Sentinels releasing JonahP and Jerrwin.

The current Sentinels roster

According to vlr.gg, Sentinels now have four players and a three-person staff. One roster spot remains open.

In-game leader johnqt, academy product Reduxx and cortezia are the players who stayed. Sentinels still need one more signing to complete the five.

What does it mean for Cloud9 and VCT 2027?

Non-partnered teams will try to reach the 2027 Americas Kickoff through open qualifiers. Riot says 2026 VCT Americas teams that were not extended as partners can be invited to the Qualifiers Playoffs. Picking up talent from those teams has become a key offseason plan for partner clubs.

Here is the North America Kickoff Qualifier calendar:

• Qualifier #1: November 5-8 (single elimination, Bo3)
• Qualifier #2: November 12-15
• Qualifiers Playoffs Swiss stage: November 20-22 (16 teams)
• Double-elimination bracket: December 1-6
• Americas Last Chance Qualifier: December 17-18, São Paulo

The playoff champion goes to VCT Americas Kickoff 2027 as North America's representative. The runner-up gets one more shot at the LCQ in São Paulo. The four non-partner teams that reach Kickoff will receive a $100k stipend. How Cloud9 rebuild for that path is still unknown.

The offseason is moving fast. Yesterday we covered T1 parting ways with Meteor and Munchkin, and earlier MIBR's moves for Aspas and Zekken.

Frequently asked questions

Which team did OXY join?

Francis "OXY" Hoang left Cloud9 and joined Sentinels. vlr.gg reported the signing on November 3.

What is the current Sentinels Valorant roster?

Sentinels now have johnqt, Reduxx, OXY and cortezia, with head coach Ewok, assistant coach GUNTER and manager Zyto. One roster spot is still open.

Why did OXY leave Cloud9?

vlr.gg notes that Cloud9 missed out on VCT partnership for the next phase, while Sentinels kept their partner slot and signed one of the top players from non-partnered teams.

Sources

• vlr.gg: A SENsational pickup, OXY joins Sentinels
• VALORANT Esports: 2027 VCT Americas Kickoff North America Qualifiers