Usain Bolt Nets Twice In First Start As Pro Footballer

Usain Bolt scored a brace on his second trial match for the Australian club, Central Coast Mariners to boost his chances of realising his boyhood dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Central Coast had earlier opened the scoring through McCormack’s diving header in the seventh minute and doubled the advantage shortly before half-time through Jordan Murray’s strike.

But, the world’s fastest man scored the Mariners’ third and fourth goals in a 4-0 win over Macarthur South West and celebrated with his trademark lightning bolt pose.

“My first start and scoring two goals, it’s a good feeling,” the Jamaican eight-time Olympic sprint champion said.

“I’m happy I could come here and show the world I’m improving. I’m keen to be a Mariner, to play my best and get into the team,” he added.

The A-League has been struggling in recent years with fewer fans and dwindling TV ratings, with football chiefs hoping the arrival of big names like Bolt will boost local interest.

The 100m and 200m world record holder has previously trained with German club Borussia Dortmund, South African club Sundowns.

He retired from athletics in 2017 and has since said it would be a “dream” to play professional football.

The Australian A-League season begins on 19 October and the Mariners are yet to confirm whether Bolt will be offered a contract.