Australian football agent Tony Rallis says an “in-principle” deal has been reached to bring the eight-time Olympic gold medallist to the Central Coast Mariners for a six-week trial.
Rallis is currently in the United Kingdom and has been dealing directly with Bolt’s representative Ricky Simms, who he says is fully supportive of the idea.
Bolt, 31, retired from sprinting last year but has long harboured ambitions of a career in football.
“We’ve got a club that’s willing to allow him to trial and offer him the contract,” Rallis told AAP.
“We’ve got an athlete that’s prepared to meet the trial criteria and benchmarks.
“We just need some funding from the FFA to top it up.”
FFA has declined to comment, but it’s understood the governing body will not put funds towards a trial under any circumstances.
However, Rallis said that was not what he was after.
“We’re not asking them to fund a trial. If it materialises into a contract, that’s when we need some funding,” he said.
“We’re going through the proper channels, we’re just waiting for a reply.”
FFA has a pot of $3 million, provided by Fox Sports, to spend on marquee players for the upcoming season.
FFA is believed to be deep in talks with former Japanese international Keisuke Honda, who is interested in joining Melbourne Victory and would command the majority of the fund if he reaches an agreement with the A-League champions.
Usain is bored with life already so he’s trying new things to keep him occupied. As for bringing Kasi with him to stay in Australia with him for months, I doubt it, it’s like taking sand to the beach and I don’t think Bolt want to be around Kasi for that long period of time. He can travel back and forth to JA to see her or fly her out to see him, he has the resources to do so.
Suh a because him name U Bolt mek him ketch dem big break yah?? Naw try stop a man food but a nuff baller deh a JA who bad like Pele an cyaan get a break. But no bitterness round here……Congrats Bolt. As for Kasi….she will continue doing what she doing. Lol. She’s happy either way. Lol.
if dem like pele then why dem not playing english premier league or in spain or italy? Dat mean dem nuh good. Tell your wanna be peles to work hard.
Bolt will sell tickets regardless of if he can play or not. Bolt put in hard work evrly days and it now paying off in diff areas just like how jordan played baseball.