The powerful Liberian-born centre-back has lived in Ireland for five years but faced an uncertain future with the threat of deportation hanging over him, until now.

Ilunga has caught the eye with a string of impressive performances for the county’s minors and has also garnered attention from further afield having been invited to take part in AFL trials last year by former Kerry All-Ireland winner Tadgh Kennelly.

Westmeath minor manager Tommy Carr has welcomed the news, saying that a huge weight of uncertainty has been lifted of Ilunga’s shoulders.

“This is very important for Westmeath football going forward. He has been granted citizenship and for Israel himself, it is a big weight off his mind,” Carr told the Irish Examiner.

“It’s very difficult to commit to a community or a country let alone a GAA team when you’re wondering if you could be gone in a month’s time.

“That fear was absolutely there. You put yourself in that position, when you’re waiting on someone to decide if they’re going to deport you back to Liberia or leave you here.

“I think you’d find that a very difficult situation to be in. So it really is terrific news,” he added.

Ilunga played full-back for Westmeath minors in their MFC defeat to Offaly just last Friday, and is expected to star at both that age group and U-21 before making the seemingly step-up to senior grade down the line.

Last year, the teenager was embroiled in controversy when he was sent off against Meath in the MFC semi-final, after being the victim of alleged racist abuse.

The red card was subsequently rescinded although no guilty party was ever identified.