Peterborough sign Paul Jones and David Ball

Jones started his career at Leyton Orient before joining Exeter in 2005

Peterborough United have taken Exeter keeper Paul Jones on loan and signed Manchester City striker David Ball for an undisclosed fee.

Jones, 24, has kept one clean sheet in 22 games this season and has joined on loan until the end of the season.

Ball, 21, who scored twice against Posh for Swindon last October, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the club.

"Paul is a very highly rated goalkeeper," Posh boss Darren Ferguson told the club website of the keeper.

"He is a good age, and is out of contract in the summer so this is a good opportunity to get him in."

Jones told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "I'm not after a new contract at Exeter and although they've offered me one I feel it's time for me to leave.

"At this stage in my career I need a new environment and a new challenge and it looks great here at Peterborough.

"Hopefully I'll settle quite quickly and of course my first aim is to get in the team and start playing games."

606: DEBATE

He's not going to come here to sit on the bench.... we have that Collis bloke for that, he's used to it

SuperPosh7

The move could make way for Posh's first-choice shot stopper Joe Lewis to leave London Road.

The 23-year-old is on the transfer list and is looking to join a bigger club, but Ferguson has insisted Jones will provide back-up to the former England Under-21 star.

"He will provide competition to Joe Lewis which I think he needs," he said.

"The signing does not mean that Joe will be leaving, I just feel he needs a bit of competition."

Regarding the signing of Ball, chairman Barry Fry told the club website: "David came down to the ground earlier in the week and met with the management and we are delighted that it has been completed, it has taken a little while.

"The chairman Darragh MacAnthony has backed the manager once again with four signings in the transfer window, Tom Kennedy, Grant Basey, Paul Jones and David Ball.

"The players that have been brought in fit our criteria, they are young, hungry and eager to learn and we are delighted to have them here at the football club."