Bolt secures contract with A-League Mariners
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the 100m world-record holder who retired from athletics last year has previously tried out with clubs in germany south africa and norway1 however mariners coach said he knows nothing about it1 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 valletta1 i can confirm usain has been offered a contract by central coast mariners the jamaicans agent ricky simms told the bbc1 the club had no immediate comment on monday but sydneys daily telegraph said he had been offered only a fraction of the aus3 million us2.1 million that his management had discussed months ago when the prospect of a trial was first mooted1 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 aus750000 and other sponsors also topping it up1 mariners owner mike charlesworth had initially pledged aus1.5 million but the deal now offered to the sprinter was much less than this it added1 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 footballer1 the 32-year-olds form so far has been criticised by several pundits but his two goals captured the imagination of the sporting public1 club coach mike mulvey said he had heard nothing of an offer and cast doubt on whether bolt who likes to play up front would make the grade given the quality of players he already has at his disposal1 you have a look at our front line today and you wonder whether he could get into any of those positions. wouldnt you mulvey said after the team drew their opening a-league game of the season 1-1 away to brisbane roar on sunday1 i do appreciate how important this story is for the rest of the world. youre just talking about speculation. i dont know anything about what youre talking about and thats gods honest truth1 the mariners boast aston villa striker ross mccormack on their payroll after the scottish international agreed a season-long loan deal1 they also have tommy oar who has played 28 times for the socceroos along with connor pain who cleverly scored their goal on sunday1