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 began his career with Barnsley and made his professional debut on 3 May 2014 in a 3âÂÂ2 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers, becoming the club's second youngest debutant.
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 2âÂÂ1 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 1âÂÂ0 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
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 2âÂÂ1 away defeat to Cardiff City two days later. Bree contributed five assists 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 2âÂÂ0 victory against Coventry City. His only other goal for the club came on 19 March 2022 in a 3âÂÂ1 away victory against Hull City. Bree made 143 appearances for Luton in all competitions.
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 2âÂÂ1 defeat against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg. Four days later, Bree made his Premier League debut in a 3âÂÂ0 defeat to Brentford.
On 23 December 2023, he was substituted with a suspected hamstring tweak during a 1âÂÂ0 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 3âÂÂ2 defeat to Ipswich Town on 1 April 2024, he was shown a red card for a foul on Leif Davis.
Bree scored his first goal for the club on 28 August 2024 in a 5âÂÂ3 away victory against Cardiff City in the EFL Cup. On 29 October, he scored the winner in a 3âÂÂ2 victory against Stoke City in the EFL Cup.
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.
Barnsley
Southampton