ANDRE Boucaud could actually be at Notts County until 2015 – not just the next year and a half.
The midfielder put pen to paper on a permanent deal at Meadow Lane earlier this month, after impressing on loan from non-league Luton.
The Magpies only said it was until 2014. But boss Keith Curle has let it slip he will be given a one-year extension on top of that if he plays enough games.
Notts splashed out around £25,000 to get Boucaud and Curle thinks the 28-year-old is worth ever penny.
"He's earned the right to be a Notts County player," he said.
"He's got a big smile on his face as well because he's here permanently when he thought he was going to have to go back to Luton.
"Luckily we struck a deal with them and we have got him on an initial 18-month contract, with the possibility of another year on top of that if he plays enough games."
Boucaud played in the Magpies' 1-0 victory against Oldham Athletic at Meadow Lane last night – and Curle believes he will get even better now his long-term future is sorted.
"He did well on loan, but there was always a nagging doubt in his head he wouldn't be here for the second half of this season, let alone the next couple of years," he added.
"He knows he's here to stay now and that's a big thing.
"He needs to be an influence in the team from now until the end of the season, like he has been so far."
Curle says Notts will look to pluck more good players from non-league because of the success of Boucaud's move, using chief scout Matt Alexander.
"We've got a very good scouting network," he said. "Matt knows everything about the non-league scene. If he hears about a talent he will travel here, there and everywhere to see if a player is good enough.
"A lot of people would have written Andre off because of where he was without having a look at him. But he has flourished here and the door is open for other players as well."
