Team Liquid announced the departure of mid laner Eain “APA” Stearns on Tuesday. The 21-year-old American is now a free agent.
APA joined Team Liquid’s LCS roster midway through the 2023 season as a promotion from their Academy team. He replaced Haeri in the starting lineup during Summer 2023 and helped stabilize the roster heading into Worlds that year.
The mid laner’s biggest achievement came in Spring 2024 when Team Liquid captured the LCS championship. He played a key role in TL’s success alongside veteran teammates Impact and CoreJJ. The team’s identity revolved around strong map control and cohesive team play.
APA represented North America at three major international tournaments during his tenure. Team Liquid qualified for Worlds 2023 and MSI 2024 following their Spring title. They returned to Worlds 2024 after a runner-up finish in Summer playoffs.
His playstyle brought energy to Team Liquid’s mid lane. APA became known for signature picks like Ziggs and Aurelion Sol. He popularized Ziggs to the point where teams regularly banned it against him. His willingness to take aggressive fights and trash talk opponents made him a visible personality in LCS broadcasts.
The trade-offs showed during certain metas and formats. Champion pool depth became a talking point when Team Liquid struggled under fearless draft rules in NA playoffs. The format prevents teams from reusing champions in a series. APA’s tendency toward high death counts also drew scrutiny during stretches at international events.
His importance extends beyond individual performance. NA-resident mid laners who can compete at a championship level have been scarce in recent years. APA’s rise alongside players like jojopyun provided roster flexibility for teams and represented a bright spot for domestic talent development.
What comes next
Social media activity kicked off speculation about APA’s next destination. A photo surfaced showing him with Cloud9 owner Jack Etienne. C9 staff members posted cryptic tweets around the same time. No official announcement has been made.
Team Liquid published an exit interview with APA following the announcement. The organization has maintained this practice for departing players. APA is entering free agency as NA teams finalize rosters ahead of the 2025 Spring Split.
