Southampton confirm James Bree signing from Luton Town

Southampton have announced the signing of right-back James Bree from Championship side Luton Town for a fee believed to be around £750,000.

The 25-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year contract at St Mary's after successfully completing his medical on Thursday.

Bree reunites with former Hatters boss Nathan Jones and becomes Southampton's third signing of the January transfer window after the arrivals of Mislav Orsic and Carlos Alcaraz.

Speaking to the club's official website on his arrival, James Bree said: "I'm absolutely delighted. As soon as I had the chance to come to this huge club, a Premier League opportunity for myself as well, and obviously get to work with my old gaffer, I knew it was the right decision straight away and I didn't have to think twice about it.

"It's something I've dreamed of since I was a little kid, making my Premier League debut and obviously for a team as big as Southampton. It's something you dare to dream about."

✍️ #SaintsFC is pleased to confirm the signing of defender James Bree from #LTFC:

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 26, 2023

Jones added: "James is obviously someone who I know well from our time together at Luton, and he has the qualities both on the pitch and also in terms of his character to help us here.

"While we have really talented players in the full-back positions, we have been lighter on numbers than we would have liked, so the addition of James to the squad really helps us to address that. He's also comfortable playing at centre-back too, so that versatility helps gives us another good option in a number of areas."

Born in Wakefield, Bree began his career with Barnsley, where he spent three years as a senior player before joining Aston Villa in January 2017.

However, the right-back failed to nail down a regular starting place at Villa Park and was loaned out to Luton in the summer of 2019, before making his move permanent the following year.

Bree established himself as a key player for the Hatters during his time at Kenilworth Road and now leaves the club after featuring 143 times across all competitions, scoring two goals and registering 20 assists.

It remains to be seen whether Bree was registered in time for Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Blackpool, be he could instead make his Southampton debut when they travel to St James' Park for the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against Newcastle United next Tuesday.