Bertrand Traore joins Wolverhampton Wanderers on one-year deal

Bertrand Traore has joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a one-season contract, with the former Chelsea and Olympique Lyonnais forward tasked with helping the club return to the Premier League.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were relegated from the Premier League last season and will compete in the Championship during the coming campaign. Traore becomes their latest addition as they attempt to secure an immediate return to England’s top flight.

The Burkina Faso international has been without a club since July, when Sunderland decided not to extend his contract. He is now set to move to his second English club since leaving Amsterdam a year ago.

Traore initially left Ajax after his first spell with the Dutch club and subsequently played for Olympique Lyonnais, Aston Villa, Istanbul Basaksehir and Villarreal. He later had the chance to return to Ajax under the management of Francesco Farioli.

That second spell in Amsterdam lasted only one season before Traore was recruited by Sunderland, who had just won promotion to the Premier League. The forward struggled for regular involvement during the previous campaign, making only 12 league appearances for the club.

Traore, who has won 86 international caps for Burkina Faso, will now look to play a more significant role at Wolverhampton Wanderers. His experience in English football was highlighted by club president Nathan Shi following the signing.

“Nous sommes ravis que Bertrand ait decide de nous rejoindre. Son experience considerable du football anglais sera un atout precieux pour notre vestiaire. Nous sommes convaincus qu’il nous sera d’une grande aide durant cette longue et difficile saison de Championship”, Shi told the club’s official media.

The move gives Traore an opportunity to relaunch his career in England after a limited season with Sunderland. Wolverhampton Wanderers will hope his background in the Premier League and experience across several European leagues can strengthen their squad during their attempt to return to the division’s top level.