The European club trying to pry Bolt from the Mariners
Usain Bolt could ditch his open-ended A-League trial with the Central Coast Mariners amid reports of an unconditional two-year offer from a European club.
After his eye-catching brace in Friday night’s trial match against Macarthur South West United went viral, the club behind the offer has been revealed.
Maltese club Valleta FC managing director and CEO Ghasston Slimen confirmed the rumours in an interview with ESPN.
“A champion is always welcome and at Valletta FC we believe nothing is impossible,” Slimen said.
Usain Bolt’s agent confirmed the sprinter-turned-football player received an offer from a European club, but he didn’t initially allude as to where.
“There is a club in Europe that has offered Bolt a two-year deal, they have been taken over by new owners who have aspirations of Champions League football,” Rallis told ESPN.
Valletta FC are the powerhouse of Maltese football, and were acquired by Abu Dhabi-based Sanban Group in September this year.
DRUG TEST?: Usain Bolt stunned over bizarre drug test request
BOLT BRACE: Usain Bolt gets a double in first Mariners start
The new owners spoke of their Champions League aspirations and will be looking to add some new talent to their existing squad to achieve that dream.
The move is just one of a number of offers Bolt is considering, with the Mariners deciding whether to keep him on for the 2018-19 A-League season.
Immediately after the game Bolt announced his ambitions to stay, but with the Mariners in discussions with the FFA over a potential ‘marquee status’ for Bolt – his situation could change.
“It was my first proper game with the first team,” he told Fox Sports after his two-goal game.
“I’m just happy I got the chance and I’m proud of myself.
“It was a big deal. I think scoring a goal in your first proper match, it’s a big deal. Your first start and scoring two goals, it was a good feeling.
“This is what I worked towards, I tried to improve myself, I tried to get better, and I’m on the way to doing that.
“Now the discussion comes up because the season starts next week.
“We have to sit down with the coach, the management side and figure out how we go forward, what’s the plan, if they’re going to sign me or I need to do more. So I’m just waiting on that.
“I’m keen, that’s why I’m here – to play my best and to try to get into the team.”
His potential European suitor wasn’t the only one to take notice of his impressive second-half strikes, which have attracted more than six million views on Central Coast’s Twitter account.
Usain Bolt stunned over bizarre drug test request
Sprint legend Usain Bolt says he’s stunned after being handed a drug testing notice despite retiring from athletics and having no professional contract as he bids to launch a football career in Australia.
The 100m world record-holder quit athletics last year and is yet to be offered a deal by Australia’s Central Coast Mariners, where he is currently on trial.
“So guys I’ve retired from track and field looking to become a footballer but look at this,” Bolt said Monday via an Instagram video as he zoomed in on the notice.
The demand for the out of competition test — to collect urine and blood — appears to have been issued by Football Federation Australia.
“How am I going to get a drug test today? I’m not even a professional footballer yet. Seriously,” said Bolt.
“So I asked the lady, ‘Why am I getting drug tested when I haven’t signed for a club yet?? and she said they told her I’m an elite athlete so I have to get tested. Okay then.”
Despite his displeasure, it appears the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority guidelines mean he is eligible to be tested.
Their legislation defines an athlete as a “person who competes in sport” if “the sport has an anti-doping policy”.
The eight-time Olympic champion, who dominated sprinting after taking double individual gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, is now bidding to become a professional footballer.
with Agencies.
