Middlesbrough have attracted some of world's biggest names to the Riverside Stadium over the years with the likes of Juninho, Fabrizio Ravenelli, Emerson, Gaizka Mendieta and Alen Boksic.

But for every 'Little Fella' there's a Branco to bring fans crashing back down to earth.

We could spend hours discussing the players who arrived at the club only to rot in the reserves, but what about those who flattered to deceive at first team level?

Let's take a look at six of the biggest first team flops ever to take to the field at the Riverside Stadium.

Where else could we start than with 'Boro's goal machine'?

The Brazilian arrived at the Riverside Stadium for a club-record fee following a stunning season with Dutch side Heerenveen, but unfortunately that was where his career peaked.

Other than a memorable brace against Manchester United, the striker flattered to deceive is rated by many as one of the most underwhelming signings ever to move to Teesside.

A signing that summed up the Gareth Southgate reign as Middlesbrough manager.

Lee Dong Gook was regarded as South Korea's top marksman and the hope was that he would follow in the footsteps of Park Ji Sung, who had slotted in well with Manchester United.

Sadly, he never looked cut out for the Premier League and it wasn't long before he made his way back to his home land never to be seen again - at least in Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough have signed plenty of good strikers over the years, and when this one was announced it was expected that Michael Ricketts could be a very shrewd addition.

He'd been a revelation with Bolton Wanderers but after arriving at the Riverside Stadium things just didn't go right.

A lack of goals and an even bigger lack of fitness meant that he struggled to make an impression and did very little to get supporters onside - meaning that his career went swiftly downhill.

A flagship member of Middlesbrough's 'Scottish phase', Kris Boyd was a huge disappointment.

After scoring goals for fun with Rangers the hope was that he'd drop to the Championship and score 30+ goals without breaking a sweat.

Unfortunately it was only the second part of that which materialised as the striker struggled with fitness and rarely looked like a player who was going to cause problems for opposition defenders.

Another player from Gordon Strachan's time with the club, Chris Killen is an easy name to forget.

The former New Zealand international symbolised a bleak time in Middlesbrough's recent history as he failed to make any sort of impression on supporters in a campaign that few can remember.

One season was enough for him as he left the club for a new challenge in China in 2010.

It's a mystery how Marvin Emnes spent six years at the Riverside Stadium.

Apart from one decent season, the Dutchman was a hugely underwhelming addition who struggled to make a positive impact in either the Premier League or the Championship.

A player with potential, it's just a shame that he goes into the category of those who failed to fulfil it.