Fumiya Kogure, 2015 S.League player of the year, is relishing the opportunity to link up with Jozef Kaplan at Hougang United when the season kicks off in Singapore next month.
The former J-League midfielder helped his former club Albirex Niigata (S) to a League and Singapore Cup double, before claiming the competition's highest individual honour at the S.League awards gala in November.
His five goals and 13 assists in 35 appearances caught the eye of Hougang United head coach K. Balagumaran, who chased his signature to play alongside another new recruit, Kaplan from Geylang International.
"I didn't know much about this player [Kogure] because I was in Malaysia for most of last year but everyone at Hougang was telling me about this number eight, number eight at Albirex," Balagumaran told ESPN FC.
"So when we played Albirex in our final game last season, I was very impressed. He was the player who caught my eye. The moment I saw him in that game, I knew this was the player I wanted for next season.
"I want Hougang to play a high-pressing game this season and Kogure is a creative midfielder who can hold the ball, play those deep penetrative passes and he is a very tricky player.
"He is one of those attackers who can change the game for the team with his good range. So I spoke to our management, and they made a huge effort to try and sign Kogure."
Carrying the tag of being the S.League's top player may be a daunting task for most, but Kogure welcomes the pressure and has already gotten down to business in training with his new club.
"Coach Bala and the club spoke to me before I went back to Japan for my end of season holiday," Kogure said. "I was very keen to try myself out in the S.League as a foreign player and after listening to their plans for Hougang, I agreed to come to this club.
"Going back to the J-League is not my priority. My goal is to play in the S.League for as many seasons as I can and win something.
"This is a club where I will have a huge challenge as I try to help the team improve and also give myself a chance to learn and develop as a player."
As for being in unfamiliar surroundings over at his new home, Hougang Stadium, the Japanese attacker has already blended in well with his teammates, and is especially eager to link up with Slovakian striker Kaplan, while vowing to maintain his own high standards from last season.
"Last season I scored five goals, so this season, I must go over that target while also keeping my 13-assists tally," he added. "I am a player who prefers to spread the play and create the openings for my teammates, but if I have to play as a striker, it will be fine for me as well.
"Kaplan is a very strong player with good technique. He is one of the reasons I chose to join the club because I wanted to link up with him and form a good partnership.
"Hopefully, I can find him with the type of balls he likes, over the top of the defence and he can finish them off."
With two of three foreign slots already confirmed, Hougang will head to Bangkok, Thailand next week, to play preseason friendlies against Suphanburi FC and a second-tier Thai team before Balagumaran decides which of the two foreigners on trial -- Masahiro Ishikawa and Domagoj Torbarina -- will fill the final spot in what is a fully revamped side for the upcoming season.