Crystal Palace confirm Bakary Sako exit

Crystal Palace have confirmed Bakary Sako will leave the club at the end of this month when his contract expires.

Standard Sport reported in May that the forward was unlikely to secure a contract extension and his departure has now been confirmed.

Sako originally signed for Crystal Palace in 2015, joining from Wolves, and he went on to score eight goals in 50 games.

However, the 31-year-old subsequently left the club in the summer of 2018 to join Championship side West Bromwich Albion.

The Mali international failed to settle in the Midlands, though, and he re-joined Palace in January on a six-month contract.

Sako had hoped to prove his worth to earn a longer deal this summer, but he made just four appearances for the Eagles last season.

A statement from Crystal Palace on Thursday added: “Everyone at the club would like to wish Bakary all the best for the future and thank him for his contribution over recent years.”