Ultimately, it looks as though this season is going to end with a sense of disappointment for Middlesbrough.

Having been so close to the play-offs for so much of the campaign, it seems as though Neil Warnock's side are going to miss out on a top-six spot, with recent results leaving them nine points adrift of those play-off places, with just six games still to play.

As a result, it seems as though Middlesbrough can now start preparing for another year in the Championship, when they can once again target promotion back to the Premier League.

Here though, we're turning our attention away from 'Boro's current season for a few minutes, in order to look at some of those who have already had a rather significant and positive impact during their time at The Riverside Stadium.

To do that, we’ve selected our top ten foreign players – from outside the UK and Republic of Ireland – who have pulled on the colours of Middlesbrough in recent years.

We start this list with Bolo Zenden, who first joined Middlesbrough on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the summer of 2003.

During his debut campaign on the Riverside, Zenden would write his name in 'Boro history when he scored the winning goal in the 2004 League Cup final, to earn the club it's first ever major trophy, and that alone puts him in a strong position for a spot on this list.

The Dutch winger then made his move to the Riverside permanent in the summer of 2004, and would score a total of 15 goals in 88 appearances for 'Boro before leaving at the end of the 2004/05 to join Liverpool, another indicator of his ability.

Viduka joined Middlesbrough from Leeds in the summer of 2004 amid the Elland Road club's financial problems, with 'Boro reportedly spending £4.5million on the striker.

Having enjoyed an outstanding four years with Leeds, the Australian would go some way to ensuring he lived up to that price-tag, hitting 42 goals in just 103 appearances in all competitions for the club, playing a big part in the run to the UEFA Cup final in 2006.

The striker's quality in front of goal saw him help 'Boro to build an attack capable of causing problems for the vast majority of top-flight backlines, although his move to Newcastle from the Riverside in 2007 did leave something of a sour taste in the mouth.

Yakubu joined Middlesbrough from Portsmouth in the summer of 2005 for a reported £7.5million fee, which would prove to be money well spent.

The Nigerian attacker would become an important figure at The Riverside Stadium, scoring an impressive 35 goals in 103 appearances in all competitions for the club, making a useful contribution to their run to the 2006 UEFA Cup final in the process.

The combination of physical presence and finishing ability that Yakubu possessed during his time with 'Boro made him a big problem for many a Premier League defender, which was enough to convince Everton to break their transfer record to sign him from 'Boro at the end of the 2006/07 season.

Making the move to The Riverside Stadium on loan from Lens in his native France in October 2001, Queudrue's outstanding performances were enough to earn him a permanent move to 'Boro at the end of the season.

The Teesside club apparently paid £2.5million to make that deal permanent, money that would prove to be well spent, with the full-back going on to be part of the Middlesbrough side that both won the League Cup, and reached the UEFA Cup final.

In total, Queudrue would make well over 150 appearances for 'Boro before leaving to join then Premier League rivals Fulham in the summer of 2006, having made a big impression during his time in the North East.

Joining Middlesbrough on loan from Barcelona in the summer of 2003, Mendieta helped the club to League Cup glory during that debut season at The Riverside.

Making his move to Middlesbrough permanent the following summer, the Spanish midfielder spent the rest of his playing career at The Riverside Stadium, and although he was dogged by injuries, made a total 83 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring six goals.

Indeed, Mendieta was still capable of showing more than a few flashes of the ability he undoubtedly possessed during his time at The Riverside, despite those fitness, and became something of a cult figure amongst the fans, while also clearly developing an affection for the club and city himself.

Fabrizio Ravanelli's time with Middlesbrough may not have been a particularly long spell, but it was certainly a memorable one.

The Italian joined 'Boro in the summer of 1996, just months after scoring for Juventus in their Champions League final win over Ajax, and although he never quite endeared himself with his comments about the club, his quality should not be underestimated.

Even though 'Boro were relegated at the end of the 1996/97, Ravanelli still scored an incredible 31 goals in all competitions that season, helping the club to both the FA Cup and League Cup final as well, a remarkable effort given the circumstances.

Another quality striker who made a significant impact for Middlesbrough during the early part of this century, Hasselbaink is another who is still fondly remembered at the Riverside.

Despite the fact he was approaching the latter stages of his career by the time he joined 'Boro on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer of 2004, the Dutchman was still able to play a vital role in front of goal for 'Boro during his time on Teesside.

Across his two years with 'Boro, Hasselbaink scored 33 goals in 89 appearances in all competitions for the club, with his final game as a Middlesbrough player coming in that UEFA Cup final defeat to Sevilla, denying the veteran striker the exit he probably deserved.

Boateng joined Middlesbrough from Aston Villa in the summer of 2002, and would go on to become a 'Boro icon during his time at The Riverside Stadium.

The Dutch midfielder was another who would go on to be a part of both the League Cup winning and UEFA Cup runners ups side, emerging as a key figure for the club with his dominant and dedicated performances in the centre of the park for the club.

In total, Boateng would make well over 200 appearances for Middlesbrough during his time with the club, before leaving at the end of the 2007/08 season, by which time he had firmly established himself as something of legend amongst the 'Boro fanbase.

Having made 446 appearances in all competitions for Middlesbrough, Mark Schwarzer is the club's ninth-highest appearance maker of all time, and their record appearance maker from outside the United Kingdom.

That Schwarzer holds that achievement is probably no surprise, given the Australian's ability in terms of both commanding his penalty area and producing any number of outstanding saves makes him one of the most reliable goalkeepers of the Premier League era.

Joining 'Boro in 1997, Schwarzer was a key member of the side who won promotion to the Premier League in 1998, lifted the League Cup in 2004 and reached the final of the UEFA Cup in 2006, with his performances over the years making him a bona fide 'Boro legend by the time he left the Riverside Stadium in the summer of 2008.

In truth, there could only ever be one player who topped this particular list.

For many 'Boro fans, Juninho is considered to be the best player to have ever played for the club, and many of them would vote for him as such in a PFA Fan's Poll in December 2007.

Across his three spells at the club - which included so many memorable moments, including his tears on the pitch following 'Boro's relegation in 1997 and their League Cup win in 2004 - the Brazilian's flare, ability, and passion for the club, means he still retains legendary status around the Riverside Stadium to this day, and that is something that is unlikely to change any time soon, or indeed, at all.