Usain Bolt ‘offered cut-price deal’ with Central Coast Mariners in Australia – but manager knows nothing about it
●The Jamaican is attempting to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer
The eight-time Olympic champion has been on trial with the A-League side since arriving in August to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
He scored two goals in a pre-season friendly last week and on Thursday turned down a two-year, trial-free deal from cashed-up Maltese champions Valletta.
“I can confirm Usain has been offered a contract by Central Coast Mariners,” the Jamaican’s agent Ricky Simms told the BBC.
The club had no immediate comment on Monday, but Sydney’s Daily Telegraph said he had been offered only a fraction of the AU$3 million (US$2.1 million) that his management had discussed months ago when the prospect of a trial was first mooted.
The newspaper said the potential deal put together in May – on the premise of Bolt passing a trial first – was based on Football Federation Australia contributing AU$750,000 and other sponsors also topping it up.
