Athletics great Usain Bolt has arrived in Australia ahead of his attempt to earn a professional football contract with A-League club Central Coast Mariners.
The winner of eight Olympic gold medals, the retired Jamaican sprinter is attempting to fulfil his dream of being paid to play the beautiful game.
Bolt, who has previously trained with Borussia Dortmund, is set to be afforded an “indefinite” period to impress Mariners coach Mike Mulvey and the club’s hierarchy.
“I’ve said all along this is for real and I’m here to show what I can do,” Bolt told journalists at Sydney airport on Saturday.
Bolt, 31, has already trained with Borussia Dortmund, South African club Sundowns and Norway’s Stromsgodset.
The Jamaican, an eight-time Olympic champion and the 100m and 200m world record holder, will not be guaranteed a professional contract at the club.
“I hope I can make a positive contribution to the club and look forward to meeting the other players, staff and fans in the coming weeks,” he added.
Shaun Mielekamp, chief executive at the Central Coast Mariners, said Bolt would be welcomed “with open arms”, but that the club remain “grounded and focused on the job in hand”.
“Our goal is to be the most innovative, entertaining and community minded sports brand in Australia, this is our competitive edge,” he added.
“Having Usain Bolt come to the club to train and hopefully develop into a professional football player is perfectly aligned to this part of the club’s philosophy.
“It is important that we don’t get too caught up in the hype of possibilities, but the reality is that Usain Bolt has placed his faith in the Central Coast Mariners to accelerate his football journey.
“Whilst we all know this must be tempered with the reality that there is a job to do and hard work ahead, we are committed to building a team that will win matches and instil belief.
“Hopefully Usain can help us on this mission.”