One of the most iconic partnerships in VALORANT esports has officially come to an end. Jake “Boaster” Howlett has parted ways with Fnatic after nearly six years, bringing an emotional conclusion to one of the most successful chapters in the organization’s competitive history.
Fnatic confirmed Boaster’s departure on November 6, 2026, with a heartfelt tribute celebrating his achievements, leadership, and impact on the VALORANT community. The British in-game leader also shared an emotional farewell, thanking his teammates, fans, family, and everyone who helped him throughout his journey.
In Brief:
- Boaster has officially left Fnatic after joining the organization in February 2021.
- During his time with Fnatic, he won two international VALORANT trophies, including VCT LOCK//IN São Paulo and Masters Tokyo in 2023.
- Both Fnatic and Boaster shared emotional farewell messages, reflecting on their years together.
- Boaster’s next team remains unconfirmed as Fnatic continues rebuilding its VALORANT roster ahead of VCT 2027.
Fnatic Officially Says Goodbye to Boaster After Nearly Six Years
On November 6, Fnatic announced the departure of its longtime captain and in-game leader, Boaster, through an emotional tribute video on social media.
The organization praised the British player for helping shape its VALORANT legacy and becoming one of the most recognizable personalities in competitive esports.
In its official announcement on X, Fnatic wrote:
“You have defined an era. Defined the game.”
Fnatic went on to explain that Boaster would always remain part of the organization’s story, thanking him for everything he had accomplished during his time with the team.
The announcement marks the end of a partnership that began in February 2021, when Fnatic signed the former SUMN FC roster and entered competitive VALORANT.
Since then, Boaster has been the face of Fnatic’s VALORANT division, leading the team through roster changes, championship victories, heartbreaking defeats, and some of the biggest moments in VCT history.
Boaster Shares Emotional Farewell Message Following Fnatic Departure
Shortly after Fnatic announced his departure, Boaster published a lengthy and emotional statement on his personal X account.
He described his departure as the end of an era and reflected on the people who supported him throughout his professional career.
Boaster thanked his former teammates, coaching staff, and fans for believing in him during both successful and difficult periods.
He also acknowledged the original SUMN FC players who trusted him when he was still a relatively unknown in-game leader with ambitions of making it big in esports.
One of the most personal moments in his statement came when he thanked his partner, Yinsu, for supporting his early career. According to Boaster, she helped him become more disciplined and even covered their rent before he secured his professional contract.
Looking back at his accomplishments, Boaster explained that while he originally wanted to make history in esports, the memories and relationships he built along the way had become even more meaningful to him.
He ended his statement by confirming that his journey in esports was far from finished.
“The journey is not over but my time at fnatic is…”
Boaster also revealed that he plans to release a video discussing his departure in greater detail.
Boaster’s Legacy With Fnatic Includes Two International VALORANT Championships
Boaster joined Fnatic in February 2021 as part of the organization’s original VALORANT roster, which previously competed under the SUMN FC name.
Under his leadership, Fnatic quickly established itself as one of Europe’s strongest teams.
The organization reached the grand final of Masters Reykjavík in 2021, eventually falling to Sentinels. Although Fnatic missed out on the trophy, that tournament helped establish Boaster as a respected in-game leader.
His biggest achievements arrived in 2023, when Fnatic became the first VALORANT team to win consecutive VCT international tournaments.
Some of Boaster’s most notable achievements with Fnatic include:
- VCT Masters Reykjavík 2021: Runner-up.
- VCT LOCK//IN São Paulo 2023: Champion, defeating LOUD 3-2.
- VCT Masters Tokyo 2023: Champion, defeating Evil Geniuses 3-0.
- VCT EMEA Stage 1 and Stage 2 2024: Champion.
- VCT EMEA Stage 1 2025: Champion.
- VCT Masters Toronto 2025: Runner-up.
- VALORANT Champions Paris 2025: Runner-up, losing 3-2 to NRG.
Beyond the trophies, Boaster became famous for his energetic personality, memorable stage entrances, dances, and entertaining interactions with fans.
His combination of tactical leadership and showmanship helped make him one of VALORANT’s most beloved professional players.
Fnatic Continues Major VALORANT Roster Rebuild Ahead of VCT 2027
Boaster’s departure comes during a major restructuring of Fnatic’s competitive VALORANT division.
The organization struggled throughout the 2026 VCT season, failing to qualify for any of the year’s international tournaments, including VALORANT Champions.
In September 2026, Boaster confirmed that Fnatic had allowed him to explore opportunities with other teams while discussions about his future continued.
Now, his departure is official.
Fnatic has also announced several other significant departures, including:
- Austin “crashies” Roberts: Departed November 4.
- Emir Ali “Alfajer” Beder: Departed November 5.
- Jake “Boaster” Howlett: Departed November 6.
The organization has also parted ways with multiple coaching staff members as it prepares for the 2027 competitive season.
With Boaster and Alfajer gone, Fnatic faces the difficult task of rebuilding a roster that once dominated the international VALORANT scene.
What’s Next for Boaster After Leaving Fnatic?
As of writing, Boaster has not officially announced which organization he will represent next.
However, his previous statements suggest that he remains interested in competing professionally rather than retiring.
When Fnatic first allowed him to explore other opportunities in September, Boaster expressed his motivation to continue playing as an in-game leader and said he was open to offers from different regions, particularly EMEA and China.
Wherever he goes next, his legacy with Fnatic and his contributions to competitive VALORANT will be remembered for years to come.
