Bree signs new deal as Stewart departs Southampton

Southampton defender James Bree has extended his stay at St Mary's, while the Championship club have also announced that seven players are being released. Bree has signed a new three-year deal after making 74 appearances in all competitions since arriving from Luton Town in 2023. The 28-year-old also contributed five goals in the 2025-26 season, including four in the league and one in the FA Cup. Bree told the club's website: "I'm absolutely buzzing to get it all sorted. It's something that I spoke about towards the end of the season – I'm just happy to get it all done now and I'm committed for the next three years." Ross Stewart is one of seven players being released by the Saints after the club chose not to take up an option to extend the Scotland World Cup striker's contract. The 29-year-old scored 11 times last season, including Saints' first goal in their FA Cup quarter-final win over Arsenal. Oriol Romeu is departing after his second spell at the club. He played a key part in Saints' best-ever Premier League finish of sixth in 2016. The 34-year-old midfielder also helped the club qualify for the group stages of the Europa League and the final of the EFL Cup in 2017. The club are also releasing midfielders Will Smallbone and Joe Aribo, goalkeepers Alex McCarthy and Jamie Jones and full-back Charlie Taylor. Defender Elias Jelert also departs after his season-long loan from Galatasaray. Latest Southampton news and analysis