The prospect of Andrej Kramaric pulling on a Leicester City shirt is exciting manager Nigel Pearson.
Subject to being granted a work permit next week, the 23-year-old Croatia striker could make his City debut at the King Power Stadium next weekend against Stoke.
Pearson said the striker could give City's relegation survival prospects a big boost.
Kramaric, who has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract after City agreed a fee believed to be potentially worth more than £9million with HNK Rijeka of Croatia, has already scored 21 goals in just 18 league games this season.
Pearson said he is a player they have been tracking for some time.
Because Croatia only joined the European Union in 2013, the country's professional footballers are not afforded the same freedom of international employment as other EU nationals and, although Kramaric has played for the national team at every age group during his development, he has so far won only four senior caps and therefore does not meet the criteria required.
City must convince a six-man panel, made up of representatives from the FA, the PFA, the Premier League and three independent panellists, that Kramaric is of such exceptional ability he can enhance the Premier League.
Pearson said he would like to be personally present at the hearing to state City's case.
"I am delighted we have almost got there," said Pearson. "He is certainly a player who excites me and I am delighted we have made progress regarding his signing.
"He will enhance greatly what we already have. He is another promising and talented player to play in the Premier League.
"Whenever I speak to players, I need to be able to look them in the eye and know they want to be a part of our season.
"He will be great for us. He is a goalscorer. He is not the biggest but he is very sharp around the box and very intelligent.
"But until everything is absolute, we prepare for the next game with the players we currently have. It would be great to get it across the line."
Kramaric is City's second new signing during the transfer window and they are pursuing other targets, most notably Mainz striker Shinji Okazaki and Wigan's Shaun Maloney.
A central defender is also on City's wish list.
"I have not ruled anything out but I don't believe that talking about other club's players is particularly the right thing to do," said Pearson.
"If you are asking is there room to change the squad, we are always looking to do that.
"We may do more business, and we may not. It is a very fluid situation in this window.
"I know a lot about Okazaki and his goalscoring record is very good but I am not going to comment on speculation."
