Cammy Smith admits he's gutted he can't finish the season with Ayr – because he reckons they were finally starting to click under David Hopkin.
The 25-year-old is leaving this summer to take up a new challenge in America.
But Covid restrictions mean he must quit Somerset a month earlier than planned to sort work and travel visas for his new life.
Smith told the Ayrshire Post: "It's unfortunate the way it's worked out because I wanted to be here right until the last game.
"To be fair, when I explained the situation to the chairman, he was fantastic about it.
"I need to go to Poland for visas and it involves periods of quarantine that would have ruled me out of games.
"So the club has been really understanding and I'm so thankful for that.
"It's just a shame I can't be here to see the season through as I feel like the team is building some momentum just now and the boys are playing well.
"The new manager has come in and picked up a really good squad and the confidence is high that we'll finish the season strong."
And he admits he'll be a frustrated viewer from afar as United see out the campaign without him.
He said: "It sounds easy to say but we could easily have been sitting second in the league had we not dropped stupid points this season.
"There have been plenty of games where we played well enough but just didn't take our chances when they came.
"I think the squad has always been good enough and we've been showing that with the recent results."
And Smith hasn't ruled out a Somerset return once his journey across the Atlantic is complete.
He said: "Going over there is just something I want to try at this stage in my career.
"I'm at an age where I can do it and more and more players are being attracted out there to test themselves.
"But I'm quite sure I'll return to Scotland and I certainly wouldn't be against coming back to Ayr if it was right.
"The club has been fantastic for me and everyone has been so welcoming during my time here."
Ayr chairman David Smith added: "Cammy is moving to America to start a new life over there and we would never stand in the way of that.
"He agreed that he would do everything he possibly could in the five or six games he had left and he has certainly done that.
"We thank him for his efforts and wish him all the very best in the States."
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
