Sometimes the best players get caught on teams going nowhere. Kale “autumn” Dunne is learning this harsh lesson as FunPlus Phoenix prepares to remove him from their active VALORANT roster.
The End of the Road
Sources close to Sheep Esports confirm that autumn will leave FPX after nearly two years with the Chinese organization. The Australian player is now free to join teams in any region worldwide.
This news comes after a disappointing 2025 season for FPX. They placed 5th-6th in the Kickoff Tournament, finished 9th-10th in Stage 1, and barely made Stage 2 playoffs before losing in the first round to All Gamers.
For a team that reached every international event in 2024, these results represent a major step backward.
A Versatile Player’s Journey
autumn joined FPX in September 2023 during their move to the Chinese scene. He quickly became known as their “plug-and-play” player – someone who could switch between Duelist and Sentinel roles whenever the team needed.
His teammates and coaches praised his calm communication during matches and solid game knowledge. These skills helped FPX stay competitive through different game updates and tough opponents in VCT China.
Last year was autumn’s best with the team. FPX qualified for VCT Masters Madrid, Shanghai, and Seoul while finishing second place in China during Kickoff, Stage 1, and Stage 2. Only EDward Gaming consistently beat them.
Taking on Leadership
When team captain Zhang “BerLIN” Polin left in March 2025, autumn stepped up as the new in-game leader. This meant calling strategies while still fragging out as a star player.
“I’m still having a lot of games in scrims where I’m IGLing and still getting 30 kills,” autumn said during a livestream earlier this year. “If I can call alright and still get kills, it can be really good for the team.”
Despite his confidence, the leadership change couldn’t fix FPX’s problems. The team continued struggling throughout 2025, finishing with just five championship points.
What Went Wrong
FPX’s 2025 struggles had multiple causes. Losing their longtime captain BerLIN hurt team chemistry. Their head coach Deng “NaThanD” Senqiao also left before the season started.
The team brought in Yang “Shr1mp” Yong to replace BerLIN, but roster changes take time to work. autumn had to learn shot-calling while adapting to new teammates.
Communication might have played a role too. autumn learned Chinese to better connect with his teammates, but language barriers can still create problems during high-pressure moments.
International Interest
According to Reddit discussions, autumn received offers from EMEA and APAC teams last year. However, he told his agent he wanted to stay in VCT China.
Now that he’s leaving FPX, those international opportunities might return. Many fans believe autumn deserves a spot on a Tier 1 team in Americas, EMEA, or Pacific.
His experience in China’s competitive scene makes him valuable. He knows how to adapt to different team styles and has proven he can perform at international events.
FPX’s Next Move
With autumn gone, FPX faces important decisions about their future direction. They can promote young Chinese talent, sign another international player, or change their team structure completely.
The organization might focus on building around Chinese players who share the same language and culture. Or they could find another experienced international player to lead their roster.
Their choice will show whether FPX wants to rebuild slowly or make another push for international competition in 2026.
A Talent Seeking a New Home
autumn’s departure from FPX isn’t surprising given their poor results. At 23 years old, he still has years of competitive VALORANT ahead of him.
His versatility, leadership experience, and international tournament knowledge make him attractive to many teams. The right organization could help him reach his full potential.
Sometimes players need fresh starts to rediscover their best form. autumn proved he can compete at the highest level – he just needs teammates who can match his skill and dedication.
Kyle Powell is an Immortal 1 Valorant player who brings precision and creativity to every match. As a Jett main, he’s known for his sharp aim and confident entries, but he also plays Killjoy, Cypher, and Sova when the team needs smart utility. He enjoys competing on maps like Ascent, Split, Bind, Haven, and Breeze, and prefers weapons like the Vandal, Sheriff, Operator, and Outlaw. Kyle also loves collecting skins, with RGX, Prime, and Prelude to Chaos among his favorites.When he's not in-game, Kyle works as a DevOps Engineer, builds tools with Node.js, and writes gaming content that helps players improve and stay informed.