Usain Bolt has decided to turn down an offer to join Maltese club Valletta FC.
Former sprinter and current footballer Usain Bolt has rejected the chance to sign for Maltese Football champions Valletta FC. The Jamaican is currently playing for Central Coast Mariners in Australia among a unique transition from athletics to football.
Valletta FC approach declined by Usain Bolt
The eight-time Olympic champion retired from sprinting in 2017 and has since joined Australian football club Central Coast Mariners, who kick-off their league campaign this Sunday with an away trip to Brisbane Roar.
Much of the build-up has, however, focused solely on 32-year-old Bolt, who received the offer from Valletta FC despite only being on trial at Central Coast Mariners. The former sprinter has turned down the chance to join the Maltese outfit, with Mariners coach Mike Mulvey refusing to be drawn into any talk on the powerful forward.
"I'm really not interested in it to tell you the truth," said Mulvey, adding that he was happy with Bolt's progress at the club.
Bolt rapidly adopting to footballing life
Bolt has certainly picked up from where he left off in his successful sporting career, having scored twice in his first start for Central Coast Mariners. The well-taken efforts came after just seven weeks of training, with the offer to join Valletta FC just days after his first success on the pitch.
The Jamaican found the net twice in quick succession in a pre-season friendly against Macarthur South West United in Campbelltown, Sydney, and was relieved to have got off the mark so early in his footballing career.
“It was brilliant. It took a lot of weight off my shoulders. That first goal to relax you because I missed an earlier chance.
It was a great feeling I was happy about it."
Bolt's agent not surprised by the attention his client
The forward's agent, Ricky Simms, explained to ESPN that there is "a lot of interest" in Usain, but that he "does not wish to pursue" the opportunity presented by Maltese club Valletta FC.
The Jamaican must, however, sort his future out sooner rather than later as, despite a phenomenal start to life on the pitch, he has yet to be offered a contract at A-League side Central Coast Mariners.
With no contract, the former sprinter is ineligible for selection for the upcoming domestic fixture at Brisbane Roar.
The Jamaican international is not short of options to develop his career, with Valletta FC explaining that the offer will remain available for the foreseeable future.
