FORMER St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo has returned to the Saints as the club's Next Generation Academy coach.

He will also be involved in coaching at the club's father-son academy.

Dal Santo made his name in 260 games with the Saints before he joined North Melbourne for three seasons where he played 62 games.

Twice placed in the Brownlow Medal and a three-time All Australian during his time at the Saints, he was an elite midfielder.

Dal Santo told saints.com.au he was rapt to have a role with his former club, in addition to his work in the media.

"It’s great to get back and involved with St Kilda, a place where I spent 12 years of my life and still have a lot of close friends from," he said.

Dal Santo has been involved in the NAB AFL Academy as a skills coach, working alongside former Lions star Luke Power, since retiring from the Kangaroos at the end of last season.

"I’d like to help players making their way in football and help mould their journey and teach them some of things I’ve learnt across 15 years in the AFL," he said.