Raith Rovers defender Jordan Doherty on move to new rivals Livingston

Defender Jordan Doherty will be lining up against Raith Rovers next football season rather than with them after agreeing a move to newly-relegated Livingston.

The County Dublin-born 25-year-old is on his way out of Kirkcaldy’s Stark’s Park after arriving from the USA’s Tampa Bay Rowdies in January last year on a season-and-a-half contract.

Jordan Doherty, pictured at Gayfield Park in Arbroath in April, is on the move from Raith Rovers to Livingston (Photo: Finlay Thom/SNS Group)

placeholder image — Jordan Doherty, pictured at Gayfield Park in Arbroath in April, is on the move from Raith Rovers to Livingston (Photo: Finlay Thom/SNS Group)

Doherty was at Raith for one of their four games against Livingston during the 2024-25 campaign as the West Lothian outfit secured promotion to the William Hill Premiership as runners-up to second-tier champions Falkirk, taking part in a 0-0 draw on the road a year ago in March.

Livi are back in the William Hill Championship next term after ending last season at the bottom of the top flight, on 21 points from 38 fixtures, 13 adrift of 11th-placed St Mirren, and they’ve recruited Doherty as part of a rebuild they hope will see them heading in the other direction in a year’s time.

Jordan Doherty with Raith Rovers manager Dougie Imrie in Airdrie in January (Photo: Craig Brown/SNS Group)

Welcoming the erstwhile Republic of Ireland youth international to their Almondvale Stadium home ground, a club spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to announce the signing of Jordan Doherty on a pre-contract from Raith Rovers, subject to the usual Scottish Football Association approvals.

“The versatile 25-year-old arrives in West Lothian following an impressive spell with Raith and brings added strength, athleticism and flexibility to our squad ahead of the new season.

“Capable of operating both in defence and midfield, Doherty has built up a varied career across Scotland, Ireland and the United States.

“Joining predominantly as an attack-minded right-back, Doherty’s adaptability and experience across different leagues and styles of football will provide a valuable addition to the squad ahead of the coming championship campaign.”

Doherty played 41 games for Rovers in all competitions last season, all but ten of them in the championship, scoring two goals, securing a 1-0 win at home to Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Cup’s third round in November and during a 3-2 victory hosting Morton in the league in April.

That followed 20 appearances the season before, 18 of them in the championship.