Middlesex have announced that they have cancelled the final year of all-rounder Gareth Berg’s contract.
The 33-year-old, who made his first-team debut in 2008, was plagued by a serious shoulder injury this term and managed just one appearance, the LV= County Championship Division One clash with Nottinghamshire in April.
However, the club have given Berg the opportunity to stake a claim for a potential new deal at Lord's in the future by allowing him to use their medical and support staff during the winter to aid his attempts to regain full fitness following the problem.
The Italy Twenty20 international played 170 matches during a seven-season stay with Middlesex, hitting almost 4,500 runs and taking 221 wickets.
Middlesex’s managing director of cricket Angus Fraser said: "This is a very sad situation for Gareth, myself and the club.
“During the past seven seasons I have really enjoyed working with Gareth and watching him play cricket.
“As well as being an extremely talented cricketer and athlete, he is a lovely man.
“On the field he has been a very important member of our side and I do not think it’s a coincidence that Gareth's absence has come during a period when we have struggled to win games.
“I really hope that Gareth is able to make a full recovery from this injury and that we may once again see him playing at Lord's."
South Africa-born Berg, who was integral to Middlesex winning the County Championship Division Two title in 2011, said: "I walked through the Long Room every morning of every day's play just to soak in all of this wonderful ground’s history and keep me humble and honoured. It's sad that I won't be doing this any longer.
“Middlesex gave me an opportunity to showcase my talent at the home of cricket for seven seasons, building friendships with all the coaches and backroom staff along the way.
“I know that this is not the end of my career, just another hurdle I need to overcome. My goal over the winter is to get fit and ready for another season.
“I would like to thank Middlesex and all the fantastic supporters for their support over my time at the club and hopefully I will be walking through the Long Room once again."