West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola was delighted at the news that Herita Ilunga’s permanent transfer to the club has been completed.

The DR Congo defender will stay at the Boleyn Ground until summer 2013 and his manager was happy to see one of the success stories of the season pledge his long-term future to the club.

“It’s a very a good thing for us,” said Zola. “Herita has been incredible for us all season so for West Ham it is a great thing that he is on a long contract. It is very good. He knew we have been talking about this for a long time but it’s very good that he has committed to the club and he is a player that is going to give us a lot of satisfaction.”

Ilunga, who had been on a season-long loan from French side Toulouse with a view to a permanent deal, has been an ever-present in the Premier League since his arrival in September and Zola has been impressed with the 27-year-old’s smooth integration into English football.

“He has never missed a game and his standard has been top. I don’t remember one game where I wouldn’t have given him a good rating. He has been incredible.”