Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt's agent has confirmed his client could be on his way to the A-League, after agreeing to a deal "in principle" with the Central Coast Mariners.
The retired 31-year-old sprinter is set for an initial six-week stint – which could turn into a season-long contract if successful - starting next month, according to his agent Tony Rallis.
"The deal between the Mariners and Usain Bolt in principle has been agreed, subject to a couple of benchmarks,” Rallis told the Big Sports Breakfast radio program on Tuesday.
Rallis said the deal hinges on a successful trial and funding support from the FFA. Under A-League rules, clubs can sign two "marquee" players whose salaries are exempt from the salary cap.
“He will create dreams for young people and he will give the A-League a profile no amount of money can buy,” Rallis said. "This bloke's an ambitious athlete. The A-League needed a hero, and we got Superman.”
The surprise announcement comes after a season which saw A-League crowd numbers and TV ratings slump.
It is understood a number of A-League clubs were interested in taking Bolt on as a trialist, but the Mariners’ interest was most concrete.
Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp said there was still a lot of work to do on the "surreal" deal, and noted the trial period was extremely important to see Bolt's skill level.
The Mariners finished bottom of the A-League after the 2017/18 season. Source: AAP
"It would only be big if he can play and if he can go really, really well," he told the Seven Network. "Because if he comes and he's not up to the level, then it actually has a detrimental effect.
“But if he comes and he's as good as our reports are saying that he can be, then that would be very exciting and I'm sure that this stadium would be pretty full every time we put the boots on."
Mielekamp said Bolt was known to improve significantly every time he trained and was an extremely fast learner.
"He's got a very good left foot and only time will tell what level he's at and does that fit the A-League," he added.
Bolt is a big football fan and attended Sunday's 2018 FIFA World Cup final in Moscow.
Bolt has made no secret of wanting to play professional football, and has trialled with German Bundesliga team Borussia Dortmund and Norwegian side Stromsgodset since his retirement from athletics.
Usain Bolt during a training session with Borussia Dortmund. Source: DPA
He has also played in Soccer Aid, a British charity football match which pits two teams comprised of celebrities and former players against each other.
Bolt captained a World XI team to a 3-3 draw before going down 4-3 on penalties last month.
The Jamaican supports English Premier League giants Manchester United. If he does join the Mariners he would link up with ex-United assistant coach Mike Phelan, who has joined the Gosford-based club as Sporting Director to help lead the club into a new era.
“I will be advising on all aspects of the football side of the club, looking at the youth structure, the academy set up, helping out with the first team environment,” Phelan told Fox Sports.
“[I’ll be] trying to improve the facilities, the staff, the whole structure- giving the Mariners options.”
The Mariners finished bottom of the A-League after the 2017/18 season.
- additional reporting by AAP.
