SINGAPORE — Balestier Khalsa have taken a huge step towards solving their goalscoring woes as they close in on signing a new striker.

Croatian forward Niko Tokic arrived in Singapore on Monday night and could officially sign for the Tigers as soon as Wednesday (June 1), provided he clears a medical examination, the S.League’s mandatory 2.4km running test and the necessary paperwork.

TODAY first reported last month that Balestier were in the market for a forward to replace Croatian striker Robert Pericic, who missed the entire first half of the season because of a knee injury and was released by the club at the start of the S.League’s mid-season transfer window two weeks ago.

Last season, Pericic formed a lethal partnership up front with compatriot Miroslav Kristic, as the duo combined to score 33 goals for Balestier in all competitions. This convinced the club to retain the pair for this season after they fired them to an impressive fourth-placed finish. But, in the absence of Pericic, Kristic has only found the back of the net twice this season, and that too after an 11-match goal drought.

After scoring just seven times in their 12 S.League matches — the worst record in the nine-team league — and sinking to second-from-bottom in the table, Balestier head coach Marko Kraljevic has acted quickly.

“He is a top player and exactly the striker we are looking for,” Kraljevic, 51, told TODAY.

“We really needed to sign a striker and I have been looking to make this possible the moment the opportunity came about.”

Tokic played for Croatian third division side Hrvatski Dragovoljac this year, scoring six goals in 21 matches for them.

The 28-year-old has also represented Lithuanian Super League side FK Siauliai in 2014, finding the net 19 times in 35 matches, and Hong Kong Premier League Pegasus FC last year, for whom he scored twice in six matches.

“He has played in Hong Kong before so he should be more or less familiar with the footballing culture in this reigion,” said Kraljevic of the 1.86m tall striker. “He is very confident, good in the air and can play just as well with both feet.”

TODAY understands if all goes according to plan, Tokic will start training on Thursday.

“A  player like Kristic needs to have a striker partner upfront and I believe they can both combine well together,” said Kraljevic.  “Everything should be alright and we will hopefully be able to confirm him as a Balestier player soon.”