West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is delighted to have secured the services of Herita Ilunga on a long-term contract.
The Congo international initially moved to Upton Park on a season-long loan deal in the summer before putting pen to paper on a permanent deal until 2013 on Wednesday.
Hammers boss Zola has been impressed by Ilunga's sound displays at left-back with the 27-year-old an ever-present in the Premier League since his arrival from Toulouse.
"It's a very good thing for us. Herita has been incredible, he has been fantastic all season," Zola told Sky Sports News.
"For West Ham it is a great thing that he is on a long contract. It is very good.
"We have been talking about this for a long time. It is very good that he is committed to the club and he is a player who is going to give us a lot of satisfaction.
"He has never missed a game, and the standard of his game has always been at the top. I don't remember any games where I could not give him a good rating.
"He has been incredible."
Source: SKY_Sports