GASTON Ramirez has joined Championship side Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season, the Daily Echo understands.

It means the Uruguayan playmaker will see out the remainder of his St Mary's contract - which expires in the summer - at promotion-chasing Boro'.

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It has been reported that Ramirez, who joined Saints for £12m from Serie A side Bologna in 2012, has agreed to take a huge cut in wages to join the Riverside Stadium outfit.

A three-way agreement has been set up, following two days of talks between Saints, the player and Middlesbrough.

It is understood, the result of those meetings will mean that Boro' will pay £20,000 of his reported £60,000-a-week wages.

The 25-year-old has signed the loan deal, but will not begin his loan spell until later this week.

His wife has just gone into labour and the player has been given permission to delay his arrival by 48 hours.

It marks the end of torrid time at Saints for Ramirez.

He arrived at St Mary's in the summer of 2012 in a big-money transfer that had many fans excited. 

The attacking midfielder had a good first season in 2012/13, but constant injury problems and long trips on international duty with Uruguay hampered his progress. 

He was then shipped out on loan to Hull in 2014/15, but was relegated with them and at the end of last season returned to Saints.

At that point it was expected then that Ramirez would depart Hampshire, with opportunities limited in Ronald Koeman's first-team. 

However, he briefly worked his way back into contention, making three appearances in quick succession against MK Dons, Liverpool and Aston Villa. 

But he soon fell back down the pecking order and has now got the opportunity to kick-start his career in England.