Usain Bolt has played in a number of exhibition matches this year
Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is in talks for a trial to play football in Australia, a club says.
Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is in talks for a trial to play football in Australia, a club says.
The Jamaican former sprinter, 31, is negotiating a six-week stint
with the Central Coast Mariners, a team in the country’s A-League
competition.
Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp said the club had spent four months pursuing Bolt, and a season-long deal could follow.
Football agent Tony Rallis said a deal had been agreed “in principle”.
Mr Rallis, who has been involved in the deal, told local Sky Sports Radio that negotiations continued over Bolt’s pay.
“The owner of Central Coast Mariners has put his hand deep in his pocket and guaranteed 70% of the salary,” Mr Rallis said.
News Corp Australia reported that a “multi-million dollar” deal had been proposed.
Bolt has previously trained with clubs in Germany, Norway and South Africa.
The 100m and 200m world record holder, who retired from athletics last year, has previously spoken about his interest in becoming a professional footballer.
Bolt is a fan of Manchester United and one of its former assistant managers, Mike Phelan, is now at the Mariners.
A Football Federal Australia spokesman told the BBC that it would not assist in funding Bolt’s trial.
Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp said the club had spent four months pursuing Bolt, and a season-long deal could follow.
Football agent Tony Rallis said a deal had been agreed “in principle”.
Mr Rallis, who has been involved in the deal, told local Sky Sports Radio that negotiations continued over Bolt’s pay.
“The owner of Central Coast Mariners has put his hand deep in his pocket and guaranteed 70% of the salary,” Mr Rallis said.
News Corp Australia reported that a “multi-million dollar” deal had been proposed.
Bolt has previously trained with clubs in Germany, Norway and South Africa.
The 100m and 200m world record holder, who retired from athletics last year, has previously spoken about his interest in becoming a professional footballer.
Bolt is a fan of Manchester United and one of its former assistant managers, Mike Phelan, is now at the Mariners.
A Football Federal Australia spokesman told the BBC that it would not assist in funding Bolt’s trial.
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