 Boucaud joined the youth system at Queens Park Rangers in 2000 and after the club lost their Academy status he moved to the Reading youth system towards the end of 2001.After breaking into Reading's reserve team, he signed a professional contract with the club on 25 March 2002 that contracted him at the club until June 2004., Boucaud was pursued by Premier League club Arsenal, but stayed with Reading as they gave him a three-year contract.He was loaned out to Second Division club Peterborough United until the end of the 2002–03 season on 27 March 2003 and he made his debut two days later as an 85th minute substitute in a 5–1 victory away to Mansfield Town.