Bertrand Traore has joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a one-season contract as the club begin their campaign to return to the Premier League after relegation last term.
The Burkina Faso international was a free agent after Sunderland chose not to renew his deal, which expired in July. He now becomes the latest addition to a Wolves squad preparing for life in the Championship.
Traore, formerly of Chelsea and Olympique Lyonnais, left Amsterdam only a year ago but is already set to begin his second spell with an English club during that period. His move to Wolverhampton Wanderers follows a difficult season at Sunderland, where he made only 12 league appearances.
The 86-time Burkina Faso international joined Sunderland after spending a season back at Ajax under Francesco Farioli. That return to Amsterdam came after a career that had taken him away from the Dutch club and included spells with Olympique Lyonnais, Aston Villa, Istanbul Basaksehir and Villarreal.
His first departure from Ajax had opened the way for a varied career across England, France, Turkey and Spain before he had the chance to represent the Amsterdam club again. However, that reunion lasted just one season before Sunderland recruited him following their promotion to the Premier League.
Traore was unable to establish himself as a regular during Sunderland’s first campaign back in England’s top flight. With his contract now ended, he has opted to remain in England and join a Wolverhampton Wanderers side aiming to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
The club were relegated from the top division last season and will compete in the Championship for the new campaign. Traore’s experience of English football is expected to strengthen the squad as Wolves attempt to negotiate what promises to be a demanding promotion challenge.
“We are delighted that Bertrand has decided to join us. His considerable experience of English football will be a valuable asset to our dressing room. We are convinced that he will be a great help to us during this long and difficult Championship season,” club president Nathan Shi told Wolverhampton Wanderers’ official media.
Traore began his senior career with Chelsea before moving on to Olympique Lyonnais. He later represented Aston Villa, Istanbul Basaksehir and Villarreal, while also returning to Ajax before his move to Sunderland.
His arrival gives Wolverhampton Wanderers an attacker with international experience and previous knowledge of the English game as they seek to recover from relegation. For Traore, the move offers an opportunity to play a more prominent role after a campaign in which regular first-team football proved difficult to secure.