Ilunga makes West Ham move permanent

Herita Ilunga, who joined West Ham United on loan from Toulouse last year, has signed a permanent deal that will keep him at the club until July 2013.

West Ham said on their website today that they had finalised terms for the 27-year-old Democratic Republic of Congo left back.

Ilunga told the club's official website: "It is a great joy for me to have signed permanently for a club that believed in me and gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League.

"My goal is to keep developing as a player here, working for the manager and his staff.

"I am very happy to be here and there is a great atmosphere with my team-mates."

Ilunga has not missed a league match since making his debut at West Bromwich Albion on 13 September. He has played 33 times for the club, scoring two goals in the FA Cup ties against Barnsley and Middlesbrough.