JASON Cundy became the first new soldier of Alan Ball's revolution yesterday with the promise of more new recruits to come.

Former Chelsea and Spurs central defender Cundy completed a free-transfer move to Fratton Park from Ipswich, and alongside him was teenager Adam Newton, who is joining on an initial month's loan from West Ham with a view to a year's sabbatical at Portsmouth.

Cundy signed a three-year deal, which he hopes will end his torment at Portman Road.

Although 29, Cundy has only around 150 League appearances to his name and only returned to the Ipswich first-team reckoning in March after chipping an ankle bone.

"I was very frustrated last season. I couldn't get back into the Ipswich side and when I spoke to Alan Ball I was very impressed by his ambition for the club and his plans for the future."

Ball described Cundy as "a winner" and said: "At times last season we were lacking in grit and signing him will instil a bit of steel and resolve into the side."

Young right-back Newton was a member of the West Ham side which won the FA Youth Cup, and with Hammers' boss Harry Redknapp willing to loan him out to Pompey for a year, Ball promised other signings were: "Imminent."

"It's not often you get a chairman who asks you to spend money because he feels we need players.

"I'm delighted to have been entrusted with bringing in new players," said Ball who is still negotiating with Spurs boss George Graham over a fee for striker Rory Allen, while Guy Whittingham is expected to sign by the end of the week.

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