Barnsley were quick to swoop for Milan Lalkovic and manager Danny Wilson believes the Slovakian forward will become loved at Oakwell.
Former Chelsea youth player Lalkovic, 22, returned to the country of his birth in the summer with Czech Republic team Mlada Boleslav but the move did not work out.
Wilson believes their loss can be the Reds' gain with promises that Lalkovic will be a fans' favourite once he gets international clearance to play.
Wilson said: "He was told that, by going back over to the Czech Republic, he might get into the national team squad. "But it hasn't worked out for him and he wants to come back to England.
"I'm sure the fans will love him. He's a talented player with great skills and good pace. He's a team player who will work at both ends of the pitch for you.
"He can play as a lone striker – which you wouldn't believe for his size – behind the striker or on either wing."
Lalkovic has signed an 18-month contract with the Reds and was a free agent after having his contact cancelled with Boleslav. The Slovakian under 21 international enjoyed loan spells with Doncaster Rovers and Walsall while a Chelsea player. He also played in the Netherlands and Portugal on loan from Stamford Bridge but never broke into the Blues' first-team set-up.
His spell in the Czech Republic was not a successful one but Wilson feels he has decent fitness levels. The manager said:"His match fitness is not where we would like it to be. His last game was in December so not that long ago. "He's done all his pre-season so it won't take long for him to catch up. We fitness test all the players we sign and he's one of the fittest."
