"He coached me really, really well and just had that belief in me from the start."
Bree previously witnessed the tactical impact of Eckert in November when Southampton secured a 5-1 victory against Charlton at The Valley while Bree watched from the stands.
"I'd been in training that morning so I was up in the stands watching," said Bree.
"I remember thinking it was the best 20 minutes of football I'd ever seen!"
The player expressed absolute satisfaction with finalizing his long-term commitment to the club after discussions commenced toward the conclusion of the regular season campaign.
"I'm absolutely buzzing to get it all sorted," said Bree. "I'm just happy to get it all done now, and I'm committed for the next three years."
Southampton Group Technical Director Johannes Spors praised the structural reliability and on-field professionalism that the defender maintained throughout the competitive campaign.
"James' consistency and reliability speak volumes not only of his abilities as a footballer, but his character as a person," said Spors.
"He is someone who always puts the best interests of the team before his own, conducts himself with great professionalism and always leaves everything he has on the football pitch."
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The contract extension coincides with the announced departure of forward Ross Stewart, who left the club at the expiration of his contract this summer.
