Manager Neill Collins has left Raith Rovers to take charge of Sacramento Republic in the USL Championship.

Collins, who took charge of the Kirkcaldy club in September, previously coached Tampa Bay Rowdies, before leaving to take charge of Barnsley in 2023.

The 41-year-old oversaw a 2-1 Scottish Championship win over Queen’s Park at Hampden on Friday having already made it known that he was keen to return to the United States.

“Last Sunday, we were informed that Sacramento were prepared to activate the compensation clause in Neill’s contract to appoint him as their manager,” a Raith statement read.

“We met with Neill to express our desire to retain him as manager, but he made it clear that his ambition has always been to return to the United States, and this opportunity was too good to turn down for him and his family.”

Raith added that the search for a replacement has begun and that Colin Cameron and John Potter will take interim charge.