SAM Allardyce believes new signing Herold Goulon could prove a “major, major find” after the French midfielder finally secured his long-awaited Premier League lifeline.

The former Middlesbrough youngster has been training with Rovers for more than a month in search of a contract and yesterday put pen to paper on a deal taking him up to the summer of 2012, with a further year’s option.

Goulon, 22, has arrived on a free transfer having left French outfit Le Mens in the summer, with Allardyce relishing the challenge of helping him fulfil his potential.

The Rovers boss said: “It is now about getting him as match fit as we possibly can. We have got a player that has an opportunity to make a big statement because he believes he has a lot to offer and hopefully it will be Blackburn Rovers where he shows what he has got.

“He is young, he is 22. It will take a while to get up to the speed of the Premier League. He has got the size, the strength and it looks like the talent to make an impact.

“This is one of those signings that we haven’t got much to lose. If it doesn’t work, then financially we haven’t got a lot to lose but if it does, it is a major, major find.”

The 6ft 4ins defensive midfielder is not expected to feature in the first team yet though as he looks to build on his fitness levels and get ready for Premier League football.

Goulon said: “I first came to Middlesbrough at 18 years of age and I wasn’t mature. I wasn’t working as hard as I could. It is all about hard work and I wasn’t doing it properly so I didn’t get a chance. Now I am 22, I understand what I have to do.

“People keep saying I am built for the English game but I am a footballer as well. I am not just a kicker, I like to play good football. Most teams in England now play good football so it is good for me.”