Stoke City have parted company with Uruguayan midfielder Diego Arismendi.
The 24-year-old, who arrived at the Britannia Stadium from Nacional for a transfer fee of £2.5m in August 2009, has had his contract terminated by mutual consent.
"It has been an incredibly frustrating time for everyone because he came over here with such high hopes of making a name for himself in English football, but it clearly hasn't worked out that way for him," said Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes.
"His contract with the club would have come to an end next summer, but with him not in our 25-man Premier League squad and little prospect of another loan move, it was in the interests of both parties for us to terminate his agreement now.
"Diego will be returning to Uruguay immediately, so we would like to wish him all the best in finding a new club to get his career up and running again."
Arismendi made just five first-team appearances for the Potters.