Bakary Sako explains why he signed for Crystal Palace

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The former Wolves star is believed to have turned down West Brom to sign up at Selhurst Park, after Alan Pardew made a big impression on the 27-year-old.

Crystal Palace’s new signing Bakary Sako has made it clear just how important Eagles manager Alan Pardew was when it came to him signing for the Londoners after his Wolves release, in an interview with the Palace website.

The Mali international was much in demand after a superb final season at Molineux where he netted 15 times and assisted 10 goal in 43 matches, with the Mirror stating that West Brom had been confident on his arrival for much of the summer.

Nevertheless, ex Palace boss Tony Pulis has been pipped to the 27-year-old by his old side, and Sako revealed just why he chose Palace over alternatives.

“I talked to some clubs but when I met Alan [Pardew] I felt a good feeling between him and me and that’s why I chose Palace,” he said on the club’s website.

“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.”

Pardew hinted that a player would be joining earlier on Wednesday, and it turned out to be the former Saint-Etienne star who would be arriving on a free transfer.

The versatile attacking player, who has strengthened an area of the side that already boasts Selhurst Park favourites Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon, has said he has been keeping his fitness levels up despite being without a club this summer, with a possible debut for the Eagles on the cards against Championship Playoff winners Norwich City this weekend.

“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,” he said.

“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.”