Town have confirmed the signing of trialist striker Balint Bajner on a one-year deal plus an option for a second season. As reported yesterday, the 23-year-old Hungarian striker agreed terms and underwent a medical last night.

The former Borussia Dortmund B team regular has been with the Blues for more than a week. The 6ft 5in tall frontman, who scored in Tuesday night’s 2-1 friendly victory at Southend, was born in Szombathely and played youth football with hometown club Haladás and then FC Sopron in Austria, where he first broke through into senior football.

He joined Romanian club Liberty Oradea in 2007, moving to West Ham on loan for the 2008/09 season, where he featured for their U18s and reserves. However, the Hammers opted not to take up an option to sign him on a permanent basis the following summer.

Bajner, who has been capped by Hungary at U19 level, joined Honved back in Hungary in 2009, then moved on to Italian lower division side ASD Sulmona Calcio in 2011. After a short spell at Hungarian club Bodajk FC Siófok he joined his most recent club Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2012.

His one substitute appearance for their first team came last season with the rest of his football having been played with their B team in the third tier of German football. While with Dortmund B he scored nine goals and recorded five assists in 52 games.

Bajner came on as a sub in Town's friendly at Colchester and started the game at Gillingham on Saturday before coming off the bench to net in the match at Roots Hall.

Afterwards manager Mick McCarthy said he had been impressed with the striker both against the Shrimpers and throughout his time at the club: “I thought he did well.

“He’s done well in every game, I feel. I’m really pleased with him. He’s only 23 and I think he’s got improvement in him.”

Photo: Action Images

scottrock added 09:57 - Jul 31 Let's hope he's a great signing for us, must be better than Nouble and pleasing that he is still young. Dare to believe!
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hampstead_blue added 10:02 - Jul 31 Another low cost gamble. If MM turns-up just one gem from these 1 year deals for trial players it will be great for us as a club. A possible replacement for Murph in a year or so.
4

ArnieMsBigToe added 10:32 - Jul 31 Because he's Hungarian couldn't we just call him Granville?
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gazzmac4 added 10:59 - Jul 31 Good to see these players are taking their trials by the neck and playing hard for a deal. Hopefully that bodes well should we sign any of them. As hampstead blue rightly points out, just one gem from any of these free signings would be excellent. And the way Mick has picked up free transfers in the last year with great success (DMcG, Christophe, Skuse) i am sure at least one of Bajner or Bru will come good. COYB's!

3

LowstBlue added 11:53 - Jul 31 Welcome Balint - I hope you're better than the last Hungarian striker we had! Before I get slated, I know Priskin scored a semi-final goal vs. Arsenal but he was not a success at PR.
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clint_eastwood added 12:04 - Jul 31 Seriously,...how do you pronounce his name?
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bedsitfc added 12:44 - Jul 31 Don't be surprised if we start against Fulham with him and marriot
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jas0999 added 12:49 - Jul 31 Welcome! Think this could be a decent signing.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 12:58 - Jul 31 Hopefully those who felt Veseli's departure was a catastrophic indication of the club's decline and fall will be relieved at this news.
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Tractorog added 18:03 - Jul 31 Is it just me that thinks he looks like a young Rick Astley? I hope he is as persistent.
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carsey added 18:21 - Jul 31 I hope MM is right and I am wrong but this bloke looked absolute rubbish at Colchester
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TimmyH added 20:10 - Jul 31 @Jimmy - probably no comments from certain posters as we know very little about him other than scoring 9 goals for Borussia reserves...again like Bru seems to have been a bit of a journeyman playing for teams we've never heard of! let's hope we've unearthed a diamond. All the best Balint.
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TimmyH added 20:12 - Jul 31 ...ahh 6 feet 5in tall, but who will deliver the ball into him now cressie has gone? that's if he even plays. I can see Micks strategy.
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