Bakary Sako

Sako had been with Châteauroux since 2001, joining the club as an academy player. He made his league debut on the final matchday of the 2005–06 Ligue 2 season coming on as a half-time substitute in a 4–1 victory over Bastia.[http://www.lfp.fr/ligue2/feuilleMatch.asp?saison=2005/2006&code_evt=D2&code_jr_tr=J38&num_ordre=1 Bastia v. Chateauroux Match Report]. Lfp.fr. Retrieved on 29 September 2012. Following the season, he signed his first professional contract after agreeing to a three-year deal.[http://www.24sn.com/Embouteillage-en-equipe-nationale_a1368.html Embouteillage en équipe nationale]. 24sn.com. Retrieved on 29 September 2012. He was promoted to the senior squad and assigned the number 26 shirt.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

During the next two seasons, Sako was limited to mostly substitute appearances. He did score his first league goal, during the 2007–08 season, in a 1–2 defeat against Brest.[http://www.lfp.fr/ligue2/feuilleMatch.asp?saison=2007/2008&code_evt=D2&code_jr_tr=J36&num_ordre=5 Chateauroux v. Brest Match Report]. Lfp.fr. Retrieved on 29 September 2012. During the 2008–09 season Sako became an integral part of the team, helping the club narrowly avoid relegation on the final day.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

On 9 July 2009, Sako departed Châteauroux for Ligue 1 club Saint-Étienne, where he signed a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

File:Bakary Sako.jpg in 2014]]

On 29 August 2012, Sako signed for Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee that was reported to be £2.2 million.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19409743 |title=Wolves sign Bakary Sako from St Etienne on three-year deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2012 |access-date=1 October 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/29/wolverhampton-wanderers-bakary-sako-fulham |title=Wolverhampton Wanderers' Bakary Sako pleads for move to Fulham |publisher=The Observer |date=29 June 2013 |access-date=1 October 2014}} He scored on his Wolves debut in a League Cup tie against Northampton Town on 30 August 2012,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19352817|title=Northampton 1–3 Wolves|publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 August 2012}} and again on his league debut in the following match, a 3–1 defeat at Cardiff.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19384124|title=Cardiff 3–1 Wolves|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 September 2012}}

The winger adapted well to English football, scoring ten times in total and contributing eleven assists.{{cite web |url=http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/91494/bakary-sako?cc=5739#|title=Bakary Sako|publisher=ESPN}} However, his season was halted early when he tore his hamstring in March 2013 in a match against Bristol City,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21831205|title=Bakary Sako & Dave Edwards: Wolves await injury diagnosis|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 March 2013}} which ruled him out for much of the season's final games, during which the team were relegated to League One.{{cite web |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2013/03/25/wolves-trio-carl-ikeme-bakary-sako-and-dave-edwards-ruled-out-for-the-season/|title=Wolves trio Carl Ikeme, Bakary Sako and Dave Edwards ruled out for the season|publisher=Express & Star|date=25 March 2013}}

Sako was the subject of transfer speculation during Summer 2013 with interest from Fulham in June 2013 but the London club did not meet a reported £4 million asking price. Owing to his uncertain future, the player did not play in Wolves' final match of the transfer window as he "didn't feel he was in the right frame of mind".{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2013/09/01/wolves-turn-down-nottingham-forest-bakary-sako-bid/|title=Wolves turn down Nottingham Forest Bakary Sako bid|publisher=Express & Star|date=1 September 2013}} Several reported bids from Nottingham Forest were rejected by the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2013/09/03/wolves-reject-3-5m-bid-for-bakary-sako/?|title=Wolves reject £3.5m bid for Bakary Sako|publisher=Shropshire Star|date=3 September 2013}} In October 2013, Forest again attempted to set up a deal but Wolves pulled out of negotiations citing that "the terms surrounding the offer were unrealistic".{{cite web|url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-bakary-sako-041013-1094696.aspx|title=Club Statement: Bakary Sako|publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C|date=4 October 2013|access-date=4 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004111816/http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-bakary-sako-041013-1094696.aspx#|archive-date=4 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

Despite the initial speculation surrounding his future and the breakdown of his proposed move to Forest, Sako went on to have a productive season for Wolves, finishing as joint top-scorer alongside the departed Leigh Griffiths as Wolves won the League One title with a record points haul for the third tier. Sako was also named in the League One PFA Team of the Year for the 2013–14 season alongside four of his teammates.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27180793 |title=Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker wins PFA Player of the Year award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2014 |access-date=7 May 2018}}

Back at Championship level, Sako continued to score regularly for Wolves and was named in the Championship PFA Team of the Year for the 2014–15 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32473770 |title=PFA Championship Team of the Year: Deeney only Watford player |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2015 |access-date=7 May 2018}} He finished the season as the club's (joint) top goalscorer as the team missed out on the play-offs on goal difference. Out of contract with the club, he voiced his desire to play in the Premier League,{{cite web|url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-bakary-sako-041013-1094696.aspx|title=Sako thanks for support|publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C|date=4 May 2015|access-date=4 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004111816/http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-bakary-sako-041013-1094696.aspx#|archive-date=4 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} while head coach Kenny Jackett stated that he expected Sako to depart.{{cite web|url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/gaffer-expects-sako-to-move-on-2436574.aspx|title=Gaffer expects Sako to move on|publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C|date=2 May 2015|access-date=31 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062105/http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/gaffer-expects-sako-to-move-on-2436574.aspx#|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

On 5 August 2015, Sako joined Premier League side Crystal Palace on a three-year contract following his release from Wolves.{{cite web|title=Sako Signs Eagles Deal|date=5 August 2015|website=cpfc.co.uk|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2015/august/sako-signs-eagles-deal/|access-date=5 August 2015}} He scored his first goal for the club on his full debut against Aston Villa on 22 August 2015.{{cite news|title=Crystal Palace 2–1 Aston Villa|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33944695|access-date=27 August 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 August 2015}}

Sako then scored again the following week away to Chelsea, in a 2–1 win, which was José Mourinho's second ever loss at Stamford Bridge. Sako also assisted the second goal scored by Joel Ward.{{cite news|last1=Ronay|first1=Barney|title=Chelsea humbled at home after Sako and Ward strike for Crystal Palace|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/29/chelsea-crystal-palace-premier-league-match-report|access-date=19 January 2018|work=The Guardian|date=29 August 2015}}

In the 2017–18 season, Sako's form started to pick up under the management of Roy Hodgson scoring his first goal of the season against Huddersfield in the EFL Cup. He later scored against Bristol City in the same competition. Sako was also back scoring in the league as well, netting against Watford, Burnley and Leicester. He also added a goal in the FA Cup in an away loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.{{cite news|last1=McInnes|first1=Paul|title=Crystal Palace revival continues as Bakary Sako strikes against Burnley|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/13/crystal-palace-burnley-premier-league-report|access-date=19 January 2018|work=The Guardian|date=13 January 2018}}{{cite news|title=Return of the Bak: How Bakary Sako Resurrected His Crystal Palace Career|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/01/15/return-bak-how-bakary-sako-resurrected-his-crystal-palace-career|access-date=19 January 2018|work=Sports Illustrated|date=15 January 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Lea|first1=Greg|title=How Bakary Sako Went From Bit-Part Player To Guaranteed Starter – And Top Scorer – At Crystal Palace|url=https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/how-bakary-sako-went-from-bit-part-player-to-guaranteed-starter-and-top-scorer-at-crystal-palace|access-date=19 January 2018|work=The Sportsman|date=16 January 2018}}

On 2 October 2018, West Bromwich Albion signed free agent Sako until the end of the season.{{cite web|title=Sako signs for the Baggies|date=2 October 2018|website=West brom official site|url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2018/october/sako-signs-for-the-baggies//|access-date=2 October 2018}}

On 27 January 2019, Sako rejoined Crystal Palace on a short-term contract until the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/bakary-sako-returns-to-palace-on-short-term-deal/|title=Bakary Sako has rejoined Crystal Palace until the end of the season|website=cpfc.co.uk|date=27 January 2019|access-date=27 January 2019}} He was released on expiry of his contract at the end of June.{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2019/june/bakary-sako-to-depart-crystal-palace/|title=Bakary Sako to depart Crystal Palace|website=cpfc.co.uk|date=6 June 2019|access-date=6 June 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48546881|title=Bakary Sako: Crystal Palace forward to leave Selhurst Park|date=6 June 2019|website=BBC Sport|access-date=6 June 2019}}

On 28 July 2019, Denizlispor announced the signing of free agent Sako via Twitter.{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/bakary-sako-turkish-super-lig-side-denizlispor-sign-former/1ifmocef3fz4r1t96dvf6ok9c9 |title=Bakary Sako: Turkish Super Lig side Denizlispor sign former Crystal Palace star |date=28 July 2019 |website=goal.com |access-date=28 July 2019 }} But later, the club gave up the transfer due to his ankle injury history.{{cite web |url=https://www.transfermarkt.com.tr/denizlisporda-bakary-sako-%C5%9Foku/view/news/342138 |title=Denizlispor'da Bakary Sako şoku |date=1 August 2019 |website=transfermarkt.com |access-date=25 August 2019 |language=tr }}

On 6 September 2019, Pafos announced the signing of Sako via Facebook.{{cite web |last1=Taiwo |first1=Taiye |title=Bakary Sako: Former Crystal Palace attacker joins Cypriot outfit Pafos |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/bakary-sako-former-crystal-palace-attacker-joins-cypriot/1i2e773fn1tjb17y1glsbok1lu |website=Goal.com |access-date=7 September 2019 |language=en |date=6 September 2019}}

On 30 December 2021, Sako returned to his former club Saint-Étienne on a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season.{{Cite web|date=30 December 2021|title=Bakary Sako fait son retour en Vert !|trans-title=Bakary Sako makes his return in Green!|url=https://www.asse.fr/fr/actualites/bakary-sako-fait-son-retour-en-vert--ac31492|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2021|publisher=AS Saint-Étienne|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230180443/https://www.asse.fr/fr/actualites/bakary-sako-fait-son-retour-en-vert--ac31492 |archive-date=30 December 2021 }}

Sako played for the Malian U17 team in one friendly match in 2005, while the team was preparing for the 2005 African Under-17 Championship. The following year, he returned to the French team playing with the under-18 squad. He was a member of the French squad that participated in the 2007 European Under-19 Championship reaching the semi-finals before being eliminated by Spain. He made his French under-21 debut on 11 February 2009 in a friendly match against Tunisia. He scored his first under-21 goal in the 2009 Toulon Tournament against Qatar.

File:20150331 Mali vs Ghana 245.jpg in 2015]]

Sako was called up by the Malian national team for the first time for a friendly against Senegal on 5 March 2014.{{cite news|title=Mali call-up for Wolves winger Bakary Sako|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2014/02/28/mali-call-up-for-wolves-winger-bakary-sako/|publisher=Express and Star |date=28 February 2014}} He scored his first international goal against Guinea in a friendly match played in Colombes, France, on 25 May 2014.[http://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/10596/Mali_Guinea.html Mali vs. Guinea (1:2)]. National Football Teams (27 April 2015). Retrieved 12 May 2015. His first goal in competitive internationals came when he scored the opener in a 2–0 win over Malawi in an Africa Cup of Nations qualification match played in Bamako on 7 September 2014.{{cite news|title=Ten-man Mali hold on to defeat Malawi in Afcon qualifier |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29103857 |publisher=BBC |date=7 September 2014}}[http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/54821/Bakary_Sako.html Bakary Sako]. National Football Teams. Retrieved on 12 May 2015.

In December 2014 Sako was called up to the Mali squad for the finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Equatorial Guinea in January 2015. This was to be his first taste of a senior international tournament.

Sako started Mali's first two matches in group D of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. These both finished in 1–1 draws, against Cameroon on 20 January and against Ivory Coast on 24 January. Sako scored a left-foot half-volley against Ivory Coast that the BBC hailed as the goal of the tournament at that point. Sako was unable to start the final and decisive group game against Guinea due to an illness though he did appear from the bench for the final 15 minutes of the game. This too ended in a 1–1 stalemate, meaning that five of the six games in group D finished 1–1 and this led to the drawing of lots between Mali and Guinea to decide who qualified for the quarter finals and who went home. It was Guinea who emerged from the hat, meaning the Eagles exited the tournament unbeaten.

{{updated|1 July 2022}}{{cite web|title=B. SAKO|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/bakary-sako/37600/|website=Soccerway|access-date=7 September 2015}}{{cite web|title=B. SAKO|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/54821/Bakary_Sako.html|website=National-Football-Teams|access-date=7 September 2015}}

:Scores and results list Mali's goal tally first.

{{International goals header}}

|-

| 1. || 25 May 2014 || Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes, France || {{fb|GUI}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 1–2 || Friendly || [http://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/10596/Mali_Guinea.html]

|-

| 2. || 7 September 2014 || Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako, Mali || {{fb|MWI}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 2–0 || 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification || [https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/07/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/mali/malawi/1870089/]

|-

| 3. || 15 October 2014 || Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako, Mali || {{fb|ETH}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 2–3 || 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification || [https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/10/15/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/mali/ethiopia/1870101/]

|-

| 4. || 24 January 2015 || Estadio de Malabo, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea || {{fb|CIV}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 1–1 || 2015 Africa Cup of Nations || [https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/01/24/africa/africa-cup-of-nations/cote-divoire/mali/1972618/]

|-

| 5. || 25 March 2015 || Stade Pierre Brisson, Beauvais, France || {{fb|GAB}} || align=center | 3–3 || align=center | 3–4 || Friendly || [http://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/12803/Gabon_Mali.html]

|-

| 6. || 31 March 2015 || Stade Sébastien Charléty, Paris, France || {{fb|GHA}} || align=center | 1–1 || align=center | 1–1 || Friendly || [https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/03/31/world/friendlies/ghana/mali/2022102/]

|-

| 7. || rowspan="2" | 9 October 2015 || rowspan="2" | Stade de l'Aube, Troyes, France|| rowspan="2" | {{fb|BFA}} || align=center | 1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| 4–1 || rowspan="2" | Friendly || rowspan=2 | [http://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/14068/Burkina_Faso_Mali.html]

|-

| 8. || align=center | 2–0

|-

| 9. || 17 November 2015 || Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako, Mali || {{fb|BOT}} || align=center | 2–0 || align=center | 2–0 || 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification || [http://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/14236/Mali_Botswana.html]

|}

Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Football League One: 2013–14{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015 |year=2014 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-1251-1 |pages=386–387}}

Crystal Palace

• FA Cup runner-up: 2015–16{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36292265 |title=Crystal Palace 1–2 Manchester United |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2016 |access-date=19 May 2019}}

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 2013–14 League One, 2014–15 Championship
• Football League One Team of the Season: 2013–14{{cite web |title=League 1 Team of the Season 2013/14 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2014/may/sky-bet-league-1-team-of-the-season-201314/ |website=efl.com |publisher=English Football League |access-date=1 August 2018}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.wolves.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=366188&tcmuri=342665 Official club profile]
• {{FFF player|8863-sako-bakary}}
• {{FFF male player|1022170721|archive=}}
• {{LFP}}
• {{Soccerbase}}
• {{NFT player}}

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{{2013–14 Football League One PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2014–15 Football League Championship PFA Team of the Year}}

{{Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Player of the Year}}

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{{Mali squad 2015 Africa Cup of Nations}}

{{Mali squad 2017 Africa Cup of Nations}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sako, Bakary}}

Category:1988 births

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