The eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt, 31, is negotiating a contract deal with the Central Coast Mariners, a soccer club based in New South Wales, for the next A-League season, the team has confirmed in a statement.
The six-week trial has been agreed upon "in principle," his agent Tony Rallis told the Australian radio show Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday. "The owner of Central Coast Mariners has put his hand deep in his pocket and guaranteed 70% of the salary," he said.
“We’ve been working for 4-5 months on this” — @CCMariners CEO confirms they are in talks to sign @UsainBolt to play in the @ALeague! pic.twitter.com/zzeQxdKedN
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) 16 июля 2018 г.
Although no contract is guaranteed for the time being, club officials warn, Usain Bolt could sign with the Mariners for a season "if all goes well."
The world's fastest man, who retired from athletics in 2017, has repeatedly teased fans, claiming he would eventually realize his dream of playing top-level football.
In early June, Bolt came on as a substitute in a friendly game for the Norwegian club Stromsgodset in an exhibition match against Norway U19s, which saw his side lose 1-0.
Borussia Dortmund handed the Olympian a three-week trial in April after he spent two days with the team the previous month.
In February, he made his football debut in a charity celeb football match at Old Trafford, joined by the likes of the legendary Diego Maradona, Alan Shearer, and Ronaldinho.
The track star is the world record holder in the 100 m, 200 m and 400 m relay; moreover, he has picked up 11 World Track and Field Championships titles.
