ANDRE Boucaud called the Post straight after finally sealing his move to Notts County and said: "I'm so happy!"
He also joked that he has never signed his name so quickly as he did when he put pen to paper on a deal until 2014 with the Magpies, having wanted to make his loan switch to Meadow Lane from Luton Town permanent for months.
The 28-year-old midfielder admits he feared it would not happen – but now it has he says he is even more determined to win promotion into the Championship with his new club this season.
It is believed Notts agreed a fee of around £25,000 to get him from the Hatters and he will now head straight down to Portsmouth with the rest of the first-team squad today for their league game at Fratton Park tomorrow.
"I want to celebrate with three points," he said.
"I've wanted this move for ages so I'm glad it's all finally sorted.
"It feels great to say I'm a Notts player and that I'm back at a League club.
"It's where I've always wanted to be and I want to win promotion even more now.
"I always gave my best when I was on loan, but now I'm here for good I'm even more motivated to get into the Championship.
"I wasn't even sure if I'd be here for the second half of the season a couple of days ago, but now I am, I want to go up."
Boucaud has already started 19 league games for Notts this season on loan – and has been a key figure in the heart of their midfield.
He was boss Keith Curle's top target in the January transfer window – so he is delighted to have got his man.
"I think we suit the way Andre plays and his creativity in midfield has been key for us this season," he said.
"We've been talking about getting him here permanently for so long, it's great it's finally happened.
"There were a few eyebrows raised when I signed him on loan. But those same people are now saying he's a good player and we need him because he gets us playing."