Bjergsen

Early Life and Gaming Background

Søren Bjerg was born on 21 February 1996 in Denmark and grew up in Mejdal, Holstebro with his two brothers. Before his focus shifted to League of Legends, he played several other games casually. His early gaming experience included titles like Counter-Strike Global Offensive, World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Diablo 2. This diverse background in different game genres provided a foundation for the strategic thinking he later displayed professionally.

European Beginnings and Move to North America

Bjergsen entered the professional League of Legends scene in 2013 with the Copenhagen Wolves in the European LCS. Riot Games' age restrictions prevented him from playing for the first two weeks of the split, so a substitute player took his place. He joined the starting lineup immediately after his 17th birthday on 21 February. After showing promise, his team was acquired and rebranded as Ninjas in Pyjamas for the Summer Split. His time in Europe was brief, as he became the second player to move from the EU LCS to the NA LCS when he joined Team SoloMid in November 2013. This move was not without early controversy, as in January 2014 Riot Games fined him $2,000 for violating LCS rules by encouraging a player under contract with another team to leave.

Building a Legacy with Team SoloMid

Bjergsen's impact on TSM and the North American league was immediate. In his first split, Spring 2014, he won the LCS MVP award after TSM posted a 22-6 regular season record. They reached the finals but lost to Cloud9. He claimed his first LCS championship title later that year in the Summer Split, again defeating Cloud9. This victory began a period of sustained success for the organization with Bjergsen as its central player.

Over the following years, he led TSM to five more LCS championships. He won the 2015 Spring title after a 13-5 regular season where he was again named MVP. The 2016 Summer Split saw TSM achieve a spectacular 17-1 regular season record, with Bjergsen earning his third MVP, leading to another championship. In 2017, he secured a double, winning both the Spring and Summer splits, earning his fourth MVP award in the Summer. His final title with TSM came in a dramatic 2020 Summer playoff run where the team, after placing fourth in the regular season, fought through the losers bracket, defeating five consecutive opponents including Cloud9, Team Liquid, and finally FlyQuest in the finals.

His individual accolades were extensive. Beyond his four MVP awards, he was selected for the First-Team All-Pro squad six times. He never finished below fifth place in the LCS standings and never placed lower than fourth in All-Pro voting. As of 2024, he remains the all-time kills leader in the LCS.

The International Stage with TSM

Bjergsen's international career with TSM featured a notable high point but was often defined by group stage struggles. The peak came in 2015 with a victory at the IEM Katowice world championship. He qualified for the League of Legends World Championship five times with TSM. The team advanced past the group stage only once, in 2014. Other appearances ended in the groups, including a third-place 3-3 finish in the 2016 'Group of Death' with Samsung Galaxy and Royal Never Give Up, and another 3-3 finish in 2017. The lowest point was the 2020 tournament, where TSM failed to win a single game, finishing 0-6. There were also years where TSM failed to qualify entirely, missing Worlds in 2018 and 2019 after losses in the Regional Gauntlet playoffs.

From Player to Head Coach

After the 2020 season, Bjergsen retired from playing and became the head coach for TSM. He dismissed speculation that his retirement was a direct reaction to the team's 0-6 Worlds performance, stating he had planned the move for some time. TSM signed a new mid laner to replace him. In the 2021 season under his guidance, TSM performed well in the regular season, finishing second in the Spring Split and first in the Summer Split. However, this success did not carry into the playoffs. The team placed fifth in the Lock-In tournament, third in the Mid-Season Showdown, and fourth in the Summer playoffs, losing key series to Cloud9 and Team Liquid. Because of these playoff results, TSM did not qualify for the 2021 World Championship.

Return to Play and Final Chapters

In September 2021, Bjergsen announced his desire to resume playing. He rejected a contract renewal from TSM and joined Team Liquid for the 2022 season. His debut was successful, as Team Liquid won the 2022 Lock-In tournament, where Bjergsen was named player of the series in the final. Despite a roster featuring other star players, Team Liquid could not reach the finals in either the Spring or Summer splits of the main 2022 LCS season, and the roster was disbanded afterwards.

For the 2023 LCS season, Bjergsen joined 100 Thieves, reuniting with his former TSM teammate Doublelift. Their campaign ended earlier than expected when 100 Thieves were upset in the Spring Split playoffs by Golden Guardians. Shortly after this elimination, on 8 April 2023, Bjergsen announced his permanent retirement from professional League of Legends.

Career Legacy and Impact

Bjergsen's career stands as one of the most accomplished in the history of North American League of Legends. His six LCS championship titles tie him for second on the all-time list. The combination of his four MVP awards, six First-Team All-Pro selections, and three playoff MVP titles represents a level of individual recognition that few players have matched. His statistical consistency, never finishing below fifth in the league, and his record as the LCS's all-time kills leader underscore his lasting influence on the game in the region. While his teams often faced challenges on the world stage, his domestic achievements and individual skill confirmed his reputation as a defining player of the LCS era.