St Kilda’s American experiment has ended with the delisting of Chicago-born ruckman Jason Holmes on Monday.

Fellow ruckman Lewis Pierce was also cut, but the Saints have pledged to offer him a lifeline as a rookie-listed player next year.

Holmes, an international rookie signing in 2014, made his debut in round 21 of the 2015 season and had 34 hitouts in a drawn game against Geelong.

The former US college basketballer was elevated off the rookie list for 2017 but failed to add to the five games he played over the previous two seasons, with Billy Longer and Tom Hickey preferred ahead of him.

“To play just one AFL match is an enormous achievement for someone who knew almost nothing of our game a few years ago,” coach Alan Richardson said of the 27-year-old.

“His commitment to learning, improving, and to St Kilda, over the past four years has been outstanding and his strong character and personality has been an asset around the club.”

“We wish him well for whatever the future holds and thank him for his contribution to the Saints.”