Having claimed their maiden Singapore Premier League crown last season, Lion City Sailors showed they were clearly not ready to rest on their laurels ahead of the 2022 season with the statement signing of South Korea international Kim Shin-wook.
The towering 1.96 metre-tall striker, who featured for the Taegeuk Warriors at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, is one of several notable arrivals as the Sailors gear up for what promises to be a big year ahead.
In addition to their domestic title defence, LCS will also be making their debut in the AFC Champions League -- Asia's premier club competition - and have been drawn in Group F alongside Shandong Taishan, Urawa Red Diamonds and either Daegu FC or Buriram United, who face off in a qualifying playoff next month.
Having taken no time to establish themselves as powerhouses on the local scene since the club was formed at the start of 2020, the Sailors will have to get used to the role of underdogs when they take on the continent's elite in the ACL.
But Kim, a two-time winner of the tournament from his spells with Ulsan Hyundai and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, is relishing his latest challenge as he looks to utilise his past experiences to help his new club in their quest to scale greater heights.
"I wanted a new challenge and a new experience, and moving to Singapore was the right fit for me," he told ESPN.
"In terms of my time in South Korea and China (with former club Shanghai Shenhua), I believe I accomplished most of what I could. Singapore is a place where I can develop and grow together with the Lion City Sailors, so this was my motivation to moving here.
"Even from our training sessions so far, I believe we'll be a competitive team. We might not go all the way but it's all about giving the right performance. I'm confident we won't be a team that will be easily losing games.
"With the coach and myself, we will try to help the team put up a fight in every game."
The chance to work with LCS coach Kim Do-hoon, himself a former South Korean stalwart who can also boast being the ACL-winning coach in 2020 with Ulsan, was a major factor in Kim Shin-wook's move.
And while goals will be expected from the Sailors' new main man in attack, especially given his combined record of 176 goals in 455 league appearances at his three former teams, he is hoping that it will be his approach to the contest that will be of greater influence to his new side.
"Obviously, coach Kim was the biggest factor in me deciding to come to Singapore. He was the reason I chose Lion City Sailors," explained Kim Shin-wook.
"I've always wanted to work under and play for him.
"I want to show a winning mentality, which is something I believe differentiates Korean players from other Asian players. As long as it's within the rules, we try whatever it takes to win.
"For my role, it that means scoring goals, so be it. If it's something else, that's fine too. I will try everything within my means to get the win for the team.
"It's not about showmanship. It's more about how we're doing to win and how we show that desire."
Kim Shin-wook's quest to take Singaporean football by storm will not be without its obstacles.
Along with the obvious challenges of adapting to a new country, team and competition, he will also have to get used to playing on artificial turf -- the standard playing surface of Singapore Premier League venues.
Nonetheless, the 33-year-old insists the onus is on him to acclimatise, adding with a wry grin: "I haven't been playing on artificial grass since I was 19, so it'll take a bit of getting used to. Of course, once Bishan Stadium (the home venue of LCS that is currently undergoing returfing) is ready, as well in the ACL, it will be on natural grass, so that will be what I'm used to.
"In terms of getting used to playing the league games on artificial grass, this is something I need to take the responsibility of getting used to as soon as possible.
"Overall, I know it's a different environment from what I've been used to in Korea or China, but my teammates have been helping me out and I'm hopeful of adjusting to Singapore well."