The Burkina Faso international has signed a one year deal, which includes the option of a second year in the club’s favour. That extra year will also be automatically triggered if Wolves get promoted to the Premier League this season.
The 31-year-old former Villa attacker spent last season at Sunderland and now bolsters Cesar Peixoto’s attacking options.
Executive chairman Nathan Shi said: “In this position on the pitch it was our aim to bring in someone who could have an immediate impact on the squad and give the coaching staff more flexibility and options.
“We’re delighted Bertrand has decided to join us. He brings extensive experience of the English game, which will benefit our dressing room, and he was the ideal match for Cesar’s needs in a right winger, so we’re confident he will help us a lot during a long and challenging Championship season.”
Peixoto was keen to add another winger and with Wolves’ squad full, they are expected to move a senior player on to accommodate Traore’s signing.
Peixoto said: “It’s a position we wanted and he’s a good player to improve the team, one more option.
“He has the right characteristics I want in this position – good one versus one, strong, left footed to score or assist and fast to attack the space. It’s a position we’re going to change a lot during the season, so we needed more player with different characteristics for us to have options.
“He needs time to get fit because he’s been working alone, and he needs time to know our idea of the game, but he is another option to help us fight to get to the Premier League. Like we saw on Sunday, the Championship is very tough, so we need two players in each position to manage the games.”
Traore only managed 12 games with Sunderland last season after returning from AFCON with a knee injury.
After taking time to choose his next club, he believes Wolves is the ‘perfect match’ as he targets a return to the Premier League.
Traore said: “Everything went fast. I was away training in Dubai and then I got back to England a few days ago, then I had a call from my brother about the interest of Wolves.
“It was important for me to stay in Europe, to stay in a competitive league and also a serious team. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the best season last year, so they ended up in the Championship, but they’re meant to be in the Premier League, and I think I’m also meant to be in the Premier League, so it is the perfect match.
“We have to put the work in together and achieve our goal.
“Finally, I can play football again – I was waiting for this moment, I’ve missed playing football.
“I’ve been injured since AFCON and tried to come back a little bit quicker. It didn’t work out in March, but I managed to get back two weeks before the end of the season. I can’t wait to be back on the pitch and enjoy football again.”
If your name is Traore, you'll end up at Wolves.
Who leaves to make space? Santi? JRB?