Bolt ‘offered cut-price deal’ in Australia

S Y D N E Y: Australia’s Central Coast Mariners have offered sprint superstar Usain Bolt a contract, reports said yesterday, but the club’s coach said he knows nothing about it.

The eight-time Olympic champion has been on trial with the ALeague side since arriving in August to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

He scored two goals in a preseason friendly last week and on Thursday turned down a twoyear, trial-free deal from cashedup Maltese champions Valletta.

“I can confirm Usain has been offered a contract by Central Coast Mariners,” the Jamaican’s agent Ricky Simms told the BBC.

The club had no immediate comment yesterday, but Sydney’s Daily Telegraph said he had been offered only a fraction of the A$3 million (RM8.9 million) that his management had discussed months ago when the prospect of a trial was first mooted.

The newspaper said the potential deal put together in May — on the premise of Bolt passing a trial first — was based on Football Federation Australia contributing A$750,000 and other sponsors also topping it up.

Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth had initially pledged A$1.5 million, but the deal now offered to the sprinter was much less than this, it added.

The 100m world-record holder, who retired from athletics last year, has previously tried out with clubs in Germany, South Africa and Norway.

The 32-year-old’s form so far has been criticised by several pundits, but his two goals captured the imagination of the sporting public.

Club coach Mike Mulvey said he had heard nothing of an offer, and cast doubt on whether Bolt, who likes to play up front, would make the grade given the quality of players he already has at his disposal.

The Mariners boast Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack on their payroll, after the Scottish international agreed a season-long loan deal.

They also have Tommy Oar, who has played 28 times for the Socceroos, along with Connor Pain, who cleverly scored their goal on Sunday.