Jermaine Pennant netted his first goal in Tampines Rovers colours on Saturday after opening the scoring in their 1-1 friendly draw against Albirex Niigata (S).
It has been less than a fortnight since the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League giants officially unveiled the former Arsenal and Liverpool winger, but already the 33-year-old is giving early signs that he will live up to the hype that comes up with being the competition's most expensive signing.
Following a goalless first half at the Jurong West Stadium, it was the Englishman who broke the deadlock six minutes after the break when he made no mistake in converting from the spot after his side had been awarded a penalty.
But with three minutes remaining, Albirex were able to force the draw when Kento Nagasaki finished from close range after being picked out by Naofumi Tanaka.
Tampines' inability to hold out for the win so close to the end would have come as another disappointment for coach V. Sundramoorthy, especially following Wednesday's 3-1 loss to India's Mohun Bagan in the first preliminary round of qualifying for the upcoming AFC Champions League campaign.
Pennant had been absent from that game as he was not registered in time, with Sundram's charges having to now settle for a continental football in the second tier AFC Cup. They have been drawn in Group E alongside Malaysia's Selangor, Philippine outfit Ceres FC and Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi of Bangladesh.
Prior to this week, the Stags had shown positive signs in pre-season with back-to-back 2-0 and 1-0 victories over Hougang United and Johor Darul Ta'zim II respectively.
In the first match, Pennant had come on as a second-half substitute and provided an assist for Shakir Hamzah, before repeating the feat against JDT II with a precise free-kick that was headed home by Jordan Webb for the winner.
And although he has not been in Singapore for long, the ex-England U21 international has already revealed how he is settling in well and is looking forward to a successful year ahead.
"I have to thank my teammates for making me feel welcome since I've arrived," Pennant before Saturday's match.
"Everybody involved with the club has been great. The country has been fantastic and the support everyone has shown has been great too.
"So far, it looks like this is going to be a good season and long may it continue.
"I came here to try and help Tampines win the league and I'm certainly going to do my best."
Despite their status as one of Singapore's biggest clubs, the Stags have now gone two seasons without silverware after winning three consecutive S.League titles from 2011 to 2013.
They open their 2016 campaign against Geylang International on Feb. 15.