01 / 08
Bakary Sako Returns to Palace on Short Term Deal
Bakary Sako has rejoined Crystal Palace until the end of the season.
Thirty-year-old Sako has 50 Palace appearances to his name during the three seasons he spent in south London, scoring eight goals before his contract expired at the end of the 2017/18 season. The Malian forward would go on to join West Bromwich Albion in October 2018, where he made six appearances, scoring once in the FA Cup.
Having put pen to paper, he said, "I'm so happy to be back at Palace. I felt like I had some unfinished business here because I was really enjoying my football but a couple of injuries stopped that momentum. I have many great memories of playing for the club in front of our amazing fans. We have a great bunch of lads in the squad, and a very experienced manager who I learned a lot from last season. I can't wait to pull on the shirt again and the return could not be better for me."
Palace manager Roy Hodgson said: “I’m delighted that we’ve managed to bring Bakary back to Palace. He’s a player with a huge amount of talent and as he showed when he was fully fit last year, he is able to provide a boost to our attacking options. It’s a particularly pleasing signing, because as well as his ability, he knows the club inside out and was such an immensely popular figure amongst the squad with his positive and upbeat attitude. I hope his return will be a major boost as we enter the business end of the season."
Sako is not eligible for today's FA Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur having played for WBA in an earlier round. He will wear the number 26 shirt.