SAINTS director Andrew Cowen has splashed out more than £6,000 on 12,500 shares in the club at 50p each, continuing his recent spate of investment.

Mr Cowen, pictured, who last year earned £301,000, has now almost doubled his stake in Saints owners Southampton Leisure Holdings from 250,000 to 472,491 shares.

Before the close period leading up to last week's healthy Saints results - profits of £2.9m on a turnover of £49.8m - Mr Cowen bought 20,000 shares.

Both chairman Rupert Lowe and Mr Cowen have options on 250,000 shares at 46p each, which can be cashed in from May 2007.

The deal is likely to lead to a huge profit for the pair if the club's steady financial development continues.

Financial director David Jones has a similar arrangement over 100,000 shares.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, a share-buying spree by club bosses pushed the club's value up by about £6.5m to £16m.