Boucaud out but two join York City on transfer deadline day (From York Press)

Boucaud out but two join York City on transfer deadline day

12:00pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in News By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

Andre Boucaud

York City boss Gary Mills made a double swoop on transfer deadline day to sign Ben Swallow and Erik Tonne.

As Andre Boucaud exited, penning an 18-month deal at Luton Town that brought £25,000 into the coffers, the Minstermen manager moved quickly to bolster his midfield ahead of the Blue Square Bet Premier promotion push.

Swallow, a free agent after being released by Bristol Rovers, is expected at Bootham Crescent tomorrow to sign a deal until the end of the season, while 20-year-old Tonne has arrived on loan for the rest of the campaign.

Mills was delighted with both additions, saying they were two players he “rated highly”.

The City boss has been interested in 22-year-old Swallow, a winger who made 40 appearances for Rovers and had a loan spell at Bath City at the beginning of the season, for some time and attempted to bring him in earlier during the window.

Norwegian Tonne, a left-sided midfielder, started his career at Nardo FK and had spells at Rosenberg and Strindheim, before joining the Blades in February last year.

He has made four appearances in the first team, all from the bench, and has scored twice – in a 2-1 victory over Burton Albion in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and against Bury in League One.

Last month, he signed a contract extension to keep him at Bramall Lane until the end of the 2014 campaign and he has joined City in a bid to pick up match experience.

Mills said: “Erik is a good player and he is hungry to do well in this country. Obviously, I spoke to Danny Wilson (Blades boss), who I know from my Forest days.

“They had been a bit reluctant to let him out but they feel it is right coming to York and that’s great for us.

“Ben Swallow is coming from Bristol Rovers. He should be with us tomorrow.

“He is left-footed and he can go past a player. He’s an exciting player and he needs to kick-start his career.

“I feel he is coming to the right club, with the right management to help him out.”

Mills added: “These are two players that I rate highly. They will have to hit the ground running. We haven’t time to look at them for a month. Hopefully, they will be big players.”

Meanwhile, Mills is convinced he has made the right decision in allowing Boucaud to move to Luton.

The Minstermen demanded extensive clauses regarding Boucaud’s eligibility, and the 27-year-old will not face his former team-mates either in the league fixture at Luton at the end of March or in any potential play-off semi-finals.

He would be eligible, however, if Luton and York were to meet at Wembley in the final.

Boucaud was a pivotal part of Mills’ team in the early stages of the season but has been playing a bit part role from the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks.

“I have to make big decisions and to pick the right players for this football club,” said Mills of Boucaud’s departure.

“Luton expressed an interest in Andre and I felt it was the right time for him to move on.

“We wish Andre all the best for his move to the Hatters and thank him for his time at York City.”