Bolt hopes to light up A-League
Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt is in talks to trial for A-League team the Central Coast Mariners.
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist is negotiating with the New South Wales club to take part in a six-week trial that could see him signed for a full season, Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp said.
‘‘There’s still a lot of work to do in regards to understanding exactly how the deal would work out and how things would look, but things are very positive at the moment,’’ Mielekamp told Australian breakfast TV show Sunrise.
‘‘And if all goes well, who knows, he might be lighting up the A-League this season.’’
Bolt’s Mariners team-mates would include All Whites and former Wellington Phoenix midfielder Michael McGlinchey
Mielekamp said Bolt’s signing had been in the works for four or five months.
‘‘Every day it got a little bit closer so it’s a little bit surreal but we’ve still got a bit more work to do,’’ he said.
‘‘The most important thing is that we find a way to see how good he is as a footballer first.’’
Bolt’s agent Tony Rallis told Channel Nine the former Olympic and world champion was serious about becoming a football player.
‘‘The deal between the Mariners and Usain Bolt in principle has been agreed, subject to a couple of benchmarks,’’ he said.
‘‘Mainly, a trial, and of course marquee funds support from the FFA. Once the FFA comes back and says that they’ll be part of the process, we’re going to the trial.’’
His trial with the Mariners would not be his first run at becoming a professional football player.
In May, Bolt trained with Norwegian team Strømsgodset and he trialled with German side Borussia Dortmund in March, although neither offered him a contract.
Mielekamp said Bolt’s previous trials showed the track star had potential.
‘‘This is a very real football opportunity, this is not a stunt or gimmick – we want to know if Usain can play,’’ he said.