WEST HAM have secured the services of left back Herita Ilunga on a permanent contract.

The 27-year-old has been on loan from French club Toulouse, but the Hammers have wasted no time in exercising the option to make the move permanent after a series of impressive performances this season.

The transfer, for an undisclosed fee, will take effect this summer, and Ilunga is now contracted at Upton Park until July 3013.

The confirmation of the deal comes after a number of other players had pledged their futures to the Hammers. Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole are some of the big names to have put pen to paper already this term, while youngsters Jack Collison, Freddie Sears, James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas have also signed on the dotted line.

Ilunga has been a revelation for the club this campaign, and has played a key role in guiding the Irons to the cusp of qualification for the Europa League next season. He insists he is delighted to have signed for the club.

“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,” Ilunga told the club's website. “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.”

He also paid tribute to the support he has enjoyed during his time at the Boleyn Ground.

“The fans here are incredible because they are always behind the team. Sometimes they help us to get the victories but even when we lose they are always there for us. They have played an important part this season and we hope to give them a special present by qualifying for Europe.”