Usain Bolt is looking to take his blazing speed from the track to the pitch, as the World's Fastest Man is reportedly set to participate in a six-week trial starting next month with the Central Coast Mariners, a soccer club outside of Sydney, Australia.
If the eight-time Olympic champion proves he has what it takes it is expected he'll sign a season-long deal with the Mariners in October.
“The deal between the Mariners and Usain Bolt, in principle, has been agreed, subject to a couple of benchmarks, namely a trial and, of course, some marquee funds support from the FFA [Australian Football Federation],” agent Tony Rallis said in a radio interview, according to NBC Sports. “They understand that he has to go through six weeks of a trial.”
“Usain’s got a direct affiliation with Australia,” said Shaun Mielekamp, chief executive of the Central Coast Mariners, according to the New York Times. “He’s been here many times and loves the country.”
“We also believe that the A-League is at the right level where he can best show his qualities as a footballer,” he added.
Bolt, 31, has long dreamed of playing professional soccer and has trained alongside club teams in South Africa, Jamaica and Norway, as well as a much-publicized visit with Borussia Dortmund earlier this year.
According to NBC Sports, the Central Coast Mariners, based in Gosford in New South Wales, won four matches and lost 15 last season, finishing 10th out of 10 teams in the A-League.