Usain Bolt trains with Aussie A-League team

Sprinting star Usain Bolt said he passed up the opportunity to professionally play with European clubs, instead taking the opportunity to trial with the Central Coast

Mariners in the A-League.

Bolt trained with the Mariners for the first time yesterday, on his 32nd birthday.

He took part in light passing drills and agility tests in front of a gallery of almost 100 reporters and photographers.

Bolt has pledged to stay with the club for an “indefinite” trial period in the hope of achieving his long-held ambition to play professional football, a year after he

retired from the athletics track.

The eight-time Olympic champion had trialed unsuccessfully with clubs in Germany, South Africa and Norway but is intent on succeeding with the Mariners,

who finished last in the most-recent A-League season.

Mariners head coach Mike Mulvey said he is happy for Bolt stay with the team for a year if that is what he needs to fulfill his ambition.

Bolt said he had specifically targeted the A-League.

“We got offers from teams in Spain, France and stuff like that,” Bolt told reporters.

“But for me it’d be harder because you have to learn a new language. It wasn’t in

the top division.

“Australia is somewhere I enjoy coming. This is a start and I’m really appreciative of everything the Mariners have done.”

Asked in what position he hoped to play, Bolt said he is “good at centre forward but open to playing anywhere on the park.”

“I look forward to scoring as many goals as possible and bringing home the trophy,” he said.

“But I’m just trying to get over the first hurdle now, that’s to get a contract.”