THE role of Kim van der Waals at Saints has been described by the club as an independent advisor.

Speculation has been growing among fans about who the Dutchman is.

Van der Waals has been seen on a regular basis in the directors’ box on matchdays at St Mary’s.

He has also been visible at the club’s Staplewood training ground on occasions.

Supporters have been intrigued as to what van der Waals’ role is, with some suggesting he could even be working as a director of football at Saints.

But the club have stressed he is acting as an advisor and is not employed by them.

He has helped broker the deals that have brought a number of players to the club this season, thought to include Lee Holmes, Ryan Smith, Jan-Paul Saeijs and Lee Molyneux, who all arrived on free transfers.

Head coach Mark Wotte said: “Kim has been very helpful this season with his contacts in England to bring in players like Lee Holmes and Ryan Smith.

“He is one of those contacts that we have in Southampton if we want to bring in good players.

“He is well respected within the club, he is not employed by the club.

“He is an independent contact for us and we are very happy with him.”

● Neither Rupert Lowe or Michael Wilde were at the press conference at St Mary’s yesterday to field questions about Mark Wotte’s appointment as head coach and Jan Poortvliet’s resignation.

Lowe is believed to be out of the country at the moment.