Baseball pitcher Koo Dae-sung is close to signing a deal with the New York Yankees, to become the first South Korean to join the renowned American team.

Koo's agent said basic terms of the the deal were agreed upon in negotiations held in Tampa, Florida, although minor conditions including his welfare benefits are still being sorted out.

If the deal is approved by the U.S. Major League commissioner's office on Thursday, the official announcement will be made Friday.

The lefthanded Koo will then undergo a physical examination before returning to Seoul on Sunday.