Michael “neT” Bernet is back in the Valorant Champions Tour. The 23-year-old American player has signed with GIANTX as their new in-game leader heading into the 2026 VCT EMEA Stage 2, which kicks off in July.
For a player who parted ways with Cloud9 back in October 2025, this is more than a roster move. It’s a second act in one of esports’ most competitive leagues.
What happened and why it matters
GIANTX, the European organization born from the merger of Excel Esports and Giants, has been tinkering with its Valorant roster for months. Their results in 2026 have been, charitably, uneven. The team finished 9th-10th in the Stage 1 group stage and managed a 5th-6th placement at the EMEA Clash main event.
After leaving Cloud9 in late 2025, neT spent time with NRG Academy, joining that squad in March 2026. Now he’s making the jump to a partnered VCT EMEA team. The signing was reported in mid-June 2026, giving the team a few weeks to integrate before Stage 2 competition begins.
