Thursday, February 05, 2009

West Ham Fend Off Liverpool Interest To Complete Herita Ilunga Signing


According to a report in British tabloid newspaper The Sun, left-back Herita Ilunga is set to extend his stay with east London-based outfit West Ham United.

It is reported that Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had been impressed with the full-back’s performances since joining the Hammers on loan from Toulouse at the beginning of the season; however, the Irons appear to have persuaded the former Espanyol and Saint-Etienne defender to stay at Upton Park.

Apparently, West Ham will pay le Tefece €2.25 million (£2m) to complete the transfer on a permanent basis, with the 26-year-old poised to sign a four-year contract.

Scott Duxburry, the Hammers' CEO, told the club's official website, "[West Ham have] exercised the option to keep Herita Ilunga at the club [on a] long-term [basis]. We are very happy with the business we have done."

Manager Gianfranco Zola is quoted by The Sun as having said, "We really wanted to keep Ilunga; he has done fantastically well."

The 26-year-old has played in 21 of West Ham's 24 Premier League fixtures this season, in addition to two FA Cup appearances.

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