Usain Bolt has caused a sensation amongst football fans across the world by jetting to Sydney for an 'indefinite training period' with the A-League team, Central Coast Mariners. Athletics legend Bolt has long spoken of his love for football, particularly in regards to his favourite club Manchester United. However, he has now taken his first serious step towards forging a career for himself in the professional game.
Bolt received an excited reception from Aussie football fans
Early on Saturday morning, Bolt arrived in Sydney after his flight from Los Angeles.
He delighted Mariners fans by walking through the airport with their team scarf around his neck, clearly signaling that he is serious about finding a place for himself at the club.
The eight-time Olympic sprint champion has been keen to dispel any worries that his move to Australia is a gimmick or simply opportunistic. He told a group of Mariners fans, who had been awaiting his arrival into Sydney that his trial with A-League team was 'for real' and expressed his enthusiasm about starting regular training with the club in due course.
The Mariners hope that Bolt will soon become a permanent fixture
The Central Coast Mariners have not taken the move to invite Bolt for a trial lightly. The club has high hopes of getting Usain Bolt match-ready by the start of the 2018-19 season which is set to commence in late October.
So serious is the club about their prospective player, discussions have already commenced amongst Mariners officials about the content of a possible full-time contract for Bolt. The club has made to sure to emphasise their enthusiasm about Bolt's potential position within their ranks, so much so that they have cut the shape of a lightning bolt into the pitch at their Gosford Central Coast stadium.
In addition, a videographer has been hired by the Mariners in order to record the events of Bolt's time at the club.
The Mariners' investment of funds and training time into Bolt's potential future with the club have been welcomed by fans with the Chairman of the Mariners' Official Supporters' Group stating that "It's out of the box, and the more I've heard about it, the more I've come to embrace it".
Bolt is set to commence official training with the club on Tuesday after he has been given a couple of days to acclimatise and settle-in in Australia. Coincidentally, his first day of training will also mark his 32nd birthday, perhaps the perfect time for a new chapter to open in his life.
