SAINTS flop Gaston Ramirez’s St Mary’s career has come to an end after it was announced that he was one of three players released by the club.

The Uruguayan arrived at Saints surrounded by much excitement and fanfare after a £12m switch from Italian side Bologna in 2012.

However, after a promising start, things went downhill and he was eventually shipped out on loan to Hull City.

Ramirez was relegated with Hull at the end of 2014/15 and returned to Saints where he pledged to make another push to establish himself at the club.

It quickly became apparent that Ronald Koeman saw no future for the 25-year-old on the south coast and he found himself once again sent away on a temporary deal to Middlesbrough.

He finished his loan spell at the Riverside Stadium with a burgeoning reputation after several excellent displays as Boro were promoted to the Premier League.

And he is now free to make a permanent move to the newly-promoted outfit after Saints released him.

Ramirez made 55 appearances in a Saints shirt, which means the club have made a huge loss on the player.

It is estimated that Saints will have made a £21m loss on the attacking midfielder.

That £21m takes into account his wages - which were reportedly around £60,000-a-week - and the the outlay of around £12m for his then record transfer.

As expected, club legend Kelvin Davis is also among those not to be on the player roster for next season.

Davis confirmed before his testimonial last week that the game would be his last in a Saints shirt after ten years of service to the club.

Young goalkeeper Will Britt is the other player who will depart following the expiration of his current contract.

Davis joined Saints in the summer of 2006 and played a key role in the club’s incredible rise from League 1 to the Premier League, culminating in three top-eight finishes in a row.

Executive director of football Les Reed paid tribute to the 39-year-old for his service to the club, and says details about a new behind-the-scenes role are being finalised.

“Kelvin has been instrumental in the club’s success in recent years, playing a key part in what has been a special time for everyone involved,” Reed said. “He has set the perfect example since he arrived at the club ten years ago.

“Kelvin’s tremendous passion and commitment to the club are two of the reasons why we are currently in conversations with him about a new role moving forward, in which he can continue to help the club’s progression.”

Goalkeeper Britt suffered with injuries during the 2015/16 campaign, having made six Under-21 appearances the previous season, as well as enjoying a loan spell at Maidenhead United.