Luton Town have signed Aston Villa’s James Bree on a season-long loan with the defender admitting it was an easy choice to move to Kenilworth Road after manager Graeme Jones made him feel at home on the phone.
The deal, which is subject to Premier League and EFL approval, means the the 21-year-old becomes Jones’ eighth signing of the summer transfer window.
Speaking of his move Bree said: “It was an obvious choice for me to come and play Championship football. I spoke to Graeme on the phone and he was really welcoming, made me feel at home and that he wanted me, so it was an obvious decision as soon as I spoke to him.
“It’s lovely to be here. I spoke to my agent yesterday and it’s all come pretty quickly since then. It got sorted late today and I’m happy to be here. I can’t wait to get started.”
The Yorkshireman became Barnsley’s second youngest debutant in 2014 at the age of 16 and he signed for Villa in the 2016/17 January transfer window on a four-and-a-half year deal.
He played 28 times for the Birmingham side and then went on loan to Ipswich in the second half of last term.
Bree played alongside Martin Cranie, Luke Berry, Elliot Lee and George Moncur at Barnsley, so he joins a Hatters side with familiar faces.
“There’s a good strong connection between the players who have played at Luton and at Barnsley, so I definitely know a few of them and they know what they are getting from me,” he told Luton’s website .
“I’ve played in the Championship now for two or three seasons and I know what it’s all about. It’s hard work every week and a battle, but with a bit of quality in the team you can go far.”
