London - West Ham United confirmed on Wednesday that they have signed defender Herita Ilunga on a four-year deal from Toulouse.

The DR Congo international has been on loan at the English Premier League side since the beginning of the season, and has made himself a fixture at left-back.

"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," he told the club 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." (dpa)