Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt, who retired
last year from the tracks, could be on his way to play for an
A-League football club in Australia, it was revealed on Tuesday.
The eight-time Olympic champion has agreed to a deal "in principle"
with the Central Coast Mariners, for a six-week trial, Tony Rallis, a
football agent, said.
"The deal between the Mariners and Usain Bolt in principle has been
agreed, subject to a couple of benchmarks," Rallis told local Big
Sports Breakfast radio show on Tuesday.
The team, which finished bottom of the table last season, also
confirmed it has been in negotiations with the world record holder
for the trial.
"The Central Coast Mariners remain committed to discussions...
regarding what role the Club may play in Bolt's burning ambition to
become a professional footballer," the club said in a statement.
"It is crucial to note that all discussions between the Central Coast
Mariners and Bolt require an initial six-week-trial period and no
contract is guaranteed."
According to the plan, the Football Federation Australia (FFA) will
need to agree to contribute around 900,000 dollars (667,000 US
dollars) from its marquee fund if Bolt passes the trial.
"We've got a club that's willing to allow him to trial and offer him
the contract. We've got an athlete that's prepared to meet the trial
criteria and benchmarks. We just need some funding from the FFA to
top it up," Rallis told Australian Associated Press.
FFA, which has three million dollars in its fund for clubs to spend
on marquee players, has not commented on the negotiations.
DPA