Malian forward Bakary Sako has joined Crystal Palace on a three-year deal after his contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers expired, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday.

Sako, 27, joined Wolves from Saint-Etienne in 2012 and scored 36 goals in 118 league appearances for the club, starring as they won the English third-tier title in 2013-14.

He followed that up with 15 goals last season as the Midlands club narrowly missed out on a place in the Championship play-offs.

Sako said that Palace manager Alan Pardew had played a key role in his decision to move to Selhurst Park, telling the club website: "I talked to some clubs, but when I met Alan 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."

Born in Paris, the left-footed Sako has played 14 times for Mali, scoring six goals.
Source: AFP