Tonda Eckert issues fresh James Bree contract claim as Southampton decision looms | OneFootball

James Bree scored the winner in Southampton's 2-1 victory against Leicester City on Saturday

Tonda Eckert has hinted that he would like to keep James Bree at Southampton beyond the 2025-26 season - but that the final decision is not up to him.

Full-back Bree spent the first half of the 2025-26 season on loan with the newly-promoted Charlton Athletic, re-uniting with ex-Saints boss Nathan Jones - who actually took him to St Mary's Stadium from Luton Town after working with him at Kenilworth Road.

The defender made 21 appearances in the Championship for the Addicks before making his return to St Mary’s in the January transfer window when his loan expired.

And he has become a key part of Eckert’s plans at Southampton since then, starting four times in the league in the last month, and also netting an extra time winner in their 2-1 win over Leicester City this weekend in the FA Cup.

However, Bree’s contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign, meaning he could depart the Hampshire outfit for nothing in June 2026 in spite of his revitalised form.

Tonda Eckert issues James Bree contract update as June expiry date looms

Southampton head coach Eckert has made it clear that he’s told the club what he wants regarding the situation surrounding Bree’s contract at St Mary’s.

He praised the defender’s impact since returning from loan from Charlton, but suggested any decision over his future will ultimately come down to the hierarchy above.

“The club knows my opinion [about Bree’s contract],” Eckert said, via the Daily Echo.

“I’m very happy with the way he’s contributing at the very moment, and the rest goes one level higher up.”

Bree featured off the bench in Southampton’s 2-1 FA Cup victory over Leicester City on Saturday, which was decided in extra time.

It was his 109th minute strike that separated the two teams, and helped the Saints advance to the next stage of the competition, ensuring they avoided a penalty shootout in the process.

Cyle Larin’s penalty on the stroke of half time had put Eckert’s side 1-0 up before Oliver Skipp’s remarkable acrobatic effort levelled the scores in the 52nd minute.

It was Southampton’s second win over Leicester this week after they completed a 3-0 comeback to earn a 4-3 victory against the Foxes midweek.

James Bree is proving his usefulness to Southampton - an extended deal may make sense

Bree has had a bit of an up and down time at Saints since his move three years ago from Luton, and despite getting an extended run of starts last season in the Premier League under Ivan Juric, primarily on the right of a back three, he was still deemed dispensible by Will Still in the summer.

However, Bree has done relatively well out at Charlton in 2025-26, which has forced him back into Eckert's plans upon the end of his stint at The Valley.

However, if a contract decision isn't made sooner rather than later, Southampton are at risk of losing a player for nothing this summer that is clearly still proving useful to Eckert.

Any decision will likely wait until the summer, but Bree is certainly making a case for being handed a new deal since returning from Charlton.