Bolt closer to football career Sprint legend to play football in Australia

Sprint legend Usain Bolt is one step closer to realising his dream of playing professional football.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist is said to be making a shock move to the A-League in Australia.

News Corp reported that the retired sprinter is headed to the Central Coast Mariners, where he will go through a six-week trial stint that could lead to a seasonlong signing, if he is successful.

It’s a more modest destination to his much-publicised ambition of playing for iconic English side, Manchester United.

The cash-strapped Mariners collected the wooden spoon in last season’s campaign and have been rebuilding under new coach Mike Mulvey.

On Monday, the club announced that former assistant coach under Sir Alex Ferguson at United, Mike Phelan, has been appointed as their new Sporting Director.

The 31-year-old Bolt played for Norwegian side Stromsgodset in a friendly against Norway’s Under-19s earlier this year.

In June, he featured in an exhibition football match between France’s 1998 World Cup team and a FIFA 98 that included former international players.

Last January, Bolt who is also a 11-time World Championship gold medallist, had a trial at Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

He has also played in Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2018 – a match between England and The Rest of the World at Old Trafford.

But his dreams have not been confined to football. In the past, the Jamaican has expressed interest in playing pro basketball and in cricket’s Big Bash League.