James Bree

James Patrick Bree (born 11 December 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for club Southampton.

He started his professional playing career for Barnsley before joining Aston Villa in 2017. Bree spent time on loan with Ipswich Town and Luton Town, before joining the latter club permanently in August 2019. He then signed for Southampton in January 2023. Bree spent half of the 2025–26 season on loan at Charlton Athletic.

Career Barnsley Bree began his career with Barnsley and made his professional debut on 3 May 2014 in a 3–2 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers, becoming the club's second youngest debutant.

Aston Villa Bree signed for Aston Villa on 25 January 2017 on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee, described by Barnsley as "substantial". He made his debut for Aston Villa on 4 February in a 2–1 away defeat to Nottingham Forest.

He joined another Championship club, Ipswich Town, on 31 January 2019 on loan until the end of the season. His debut came three days later in a 1–0 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

Luton Town

Following Aston Villa's promotion to the Premier League, Bree was loaned to Luton Town, who were newly promoted to the Championship, on 8 August 2019 on a season-long loan. He made his Luton debut as a 74th-minute substitute for Martin Cranie in a 2–1 away defeat to Cardiff City two days later. as Luton avoided relegation to League One on the final day of the season.

Bree completed a permanent transfer to Luton on 1 September 2020. On 16 March 2021, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 victory against Coventry City. His only other goal for the club came on 19 March 2022 in a 3–1 away victory against Hull City. Bree made 143 appearances for Luton in all competitions.

Southampton

2023–2025 On 26 January 2023, Bree signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Southampton. He made his first appearance for Southampton on 31 January in a 2–1 defeat against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg. Four days later, Bree made his Premier League debut in a 3–0 defeat to Brentford.

He was substituted with a suspected hamstring tweak on 23 December 2023 during a 1–0 away victory against Queens Park Rangers. Manager Russell Martin later confirmed that Bree was expected to be sidelined until the end of January. During a 3–2 defeat to Ipswich Town on 1 April 2024, he was shown a red card for a foul on Leif Davis.

On 28 August 2024, Bree scored his first goal for the club in a 5–3 away victory against Cardiff City in the EFL Cup. On 29 October, he scored the winner in a 3–2 victory against Stoke City in the EFL Cup.

2025–present: Loan to Charlton Athletic and return to Southampton On 1 September 2025, Bree joined Charlton Athletic on loan until January 2026, where he was re-united with Nathan Jones, his former manager at Luton Town and Southampton. He scored his first goal for the club on 27 September in a 3–0 victory against Blackburn Rovers. Bree returned to Southampton following his loan spell. Jones wanted to keep him and insisted Bree didn't want to return to Southampton.

Following his return from loan, Bree admitted a lack of communication between himself, Southampton and Charlton left him uncertain about his future. On 24 February 2026, he scored his first league goal for the club in a 5–0 victory against Queens Park Rangers.

On 12 June 2026, Bree signed a three-year contract extension.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2013–14 Championship

2014–15 League One

2015–16 League One

2016–17 Championship

2017–18 Championship

2018–19 Championship

Luton Town (loan) 2019–20 Championship

2020–21 Championship

2021–22 Championship

2022–23 Premier League

2023–24 Championship

2024–25 Premier League

2025–26 Championship

2026–27 Championship

Charlton Athletic (loan) 2025–26

Southampton EFL Championship play-offs: 2024