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.”