Crystal Palace signs striker Bakary Sako on free transfer from Wolves

Crystal Palace have announced the signing of former Wolves forward Bakary Sako on a free transfer.

Sako has joined the Barclays Premier League side on a three-year deal following the expiration earlier this summer of his contract with Wolves, who he had been with since 2012.

The French-born Mali international scored 36 goals in 118 league appearances for the Midlands outfit, and was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year when he helped Wolves win the division in 2013/14.

He subsequently made the Championship end-of-season line-up last term after notching 15 goals en route to Kenny Jackett's men finishing just outside the play-offs.

Regarding his new employers, 27-year-old Sako said on cpfc.co.uk: "I talked to some clubs but when I met Alan (Pardew, the Palace manager) I felt a good feeling between him and me and that's why I chose Palace.

"He plays attacking, attractive football so it should be good to play here and score some goals, that's why I came to join him.

"I've been doing my own pre-season training because Wolves gave me a programme before I left, and my cousin has a small academy so we trained together to keep my fitness levels up.

"I think I'm fit now but it's in the manager's hands to pick me so we'll see how my fitness is.

"I want to play lots of games, score some goals and get some assists and enjoy myself. I'm confident about stepping up to the Premier League so we'll see how it goes."

Prior to arriving in English football with Wolves, Sako played in France, firstly for Chateauroux and then St Etienne. He has scored six goals in 14 caps for Mali.