ALBION can today confirm the signing of powerful frontman Bakary Sako on a season-long contract.

The 30-year-old Mali international was available as a free agent after departing Premier League Crystal Palace in the summer.

Sako built a formidable reputation at Wolverhampton Wanderers before moving to Selhurst Park in 2015.

The pacey winger has 174 appearances to his name in English football, netting 46 goals in six seasons.

And Bakary says it was the “passion” of Darren Moore that led to him choosing The Hawthorns as his new home.

“He played a big part,” admits Sako. “A lot of Premier League clubs wanted me but as soon as I knew Darren wanted to see me I went to see him straight away and we clicked.

“The way he manages players, the way he talks, he’s passionate and I love that, that’s why I came here.”

And Baggies boss Moore believes Sako’s diversity in attack will provide him with a variety of options.

He said: “He brings great experience and adds greatly to our goal threat across a range of positions. We’re delighted to get him.

“He brings competition to the group and a know-how of this division. He’s been a credit to himself while he’s been training with us and I can vouch for the fact that the way he has committed to us has been exceptional.”