On-trial striker Balint Bajner is undergoing a medical at Town this evening with his signing set to be announced tomorrow, according to Hungarian reports.
The 23-year-old former Borussia Dortmund B team regular has been with the Blues for more than a week and, according to Nemzetisport, has been successful in his attempt to win a contract at Portman Road.
The 6ft 5in tall frontman, who scored in last night’s 2-1 friendly victory at Southend, is said to be set for a medical and is discussing personal terms, believed to be a two-year deal.
Szombathely-born Bajner 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 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 last night’s 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. We’ll see, he’s done OK. We’ll continue to monitor him, definitely.”
Town also have French-Mauritian midfielder Kevin Bru on trial, who has also caught McCarthy’s eye: "Kevin’s done fine, I’ve been delighted with him.
"He’s a really good player, I think. The game the other day was only his second game in the last three or four months, so he was feeling a bit shattered.
"I wanted to get Teddy Bishop on, that’s why I took him off. Kevin’s done really well, I’m very pleased with him.”