St Kilda has bought the 1959 Brownlow Medal of Verdun Howell, a member of the AFL club's only premiership side.

The Saints said they had rushed to purchase the league's highest individual honour after learning that Howell and his family were reluctantly putting it up for sale.

The medal was awarded to Howell retrospectively in 1989, after he tied with South Melbourne great Bob Skilton on 20 votes, with Skilton originally named the sole medallist on a countback.

"Verdun's Brownlow is a unique part of our history and we believe its rightful home out of the Howell family is at the club," Saints chief executive Michael Nettlefold said in a statement.

"There is an important sense of history at the Saints and it's important that we acknowledge this.

"I can't think of any better way to do so than to give Verdun's medal a new home."

Along with his Brownlow, Howell won the club's best and fairest award in the same year.

He was named as the fullback in St Kilda's team of the century, but also spent time at full-forward late in his 159-game career and kicked 55 career goals.

Howell, 73, who now lives in Perth, was thrilled that the Saints stepped in.

"While it is sad to part with the Brownlow, I couldn't be happier that it will end up at St Kilda," he said.

A total of 10 Brownlows have been won by Saints players, including two each to Ian Stewart and Robert Harvey.

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