The eight-time Olympic champion, Usain Bolt, will test his skills with the Central Coast Mariners for six weeks starting next month, in an agreement that could see him play for a season with the Australian A-League team.
"There is an agreement in principle between the Mariners and Usain Bolt, subject to a couple of criteria," said Australian football agent Tony Rallis on Monday.
Rallis pointed out that Bolt, who is 31 years old, would need to undergo a trial and have his salary approved by the Football Federation Australia (FFA).
"Once the FFA responds and says that he will be part of the process, the trials will begin," Rallis said.
Bolt has long desired to play professional football and, since retiring from athletics, has tried out with Germany's Borussia Dortmund and Norway's Stromsgodset.
"If he is competitive, he will lift the name of the A-League," Rallis commented. "He will create dreams for the young and give the A-League a reputation that no amount of money can buy. This guy is an ambitious athlete. The A-League needed a hero and we have Superman."
Rallis said that the owner of the Mariners will guarantee 70% of his salary and it is expected that the FFA will finance the rest.
Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp said there is still a lot to do and the trial period is necessary to determine Bolt's abilities.
"It will only be important if he can play and play very, very well," he emphasized. "Because if he arrives and it turns out he is not at the level, then it could have a detrimental effect."