SYDNEY, Oct 22: Australia�s Central Coast Mariners have offered sprint superstar Usain Bolt a contract, reports said Monday, but the club�s coach said he knows nothing about it.
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 Aus$3 million (USD2.1 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 Aus dollar 750,000 and other sponsors also topping it up.
Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth had initially pledged Aus$1.5 million, but the deal now offered to the sprinter was much less than this, it added.
The 100m world-record holder, who retired from athletics last year, has previously tried out with clubs in Germany, South Africa and Norway. � AFP
