Bolt Offered Football Contract By Cash-Rich Malta Club
Two-year deal in Europe on offer to Jamaican icon
Usain Bolt has a back-up plan if Australian club Central Coast Mariners don’t want to sign the former sprint king.
The 32-year-old, who last week scored twice in a friendly for the A-League outfit, has a two-year professional.contract offer to play in the top flight for Dubai-backed Malta club Valletta FC.
Former sprinter Bolt is with Mariners on trial, seeking to earn a highly lucrative contract. But club coach Mike Mulvey hasn’t appeared convinced about the eight-time Olympic champion’s prowess on the pitch.
However, it is his off pitch marketability that would seemingly sway whether Bolt wins a professional contract Down Under. The hype has seen ticket sales surge whenever he is named in the squad, and global media attention has helped put the A-League into the limelight.
But Bolt is not in Australia to make cameo appearances, he is a world class athlete who wants to play in the top tier.
Having already had trials in Germany, Norway and South Africa his latest jaunt has been in Australia.
However, Valletta FC are very likely to be able to offer Champions League football next season. That would not only prove lucrative for sponsorship but also means that Bolt could be tempted at the prospect of playing in Europe’s elite club competition.
Yet Valletta FC, current Maltese Premier League champions, have never advanced past the second qualifying round in the Champions League.
Valletta FC managing director and CEO Ghasston Slimen has gone on record to state that he would like to sign Bolt to spearhead their next Champions League campaign. But his goal is to sign Bolt in time for their Maltese Super Cup tie against Balzan on 13 December.
Slimen explained: “A champion is always welcome, and at Valletta FC we believe nothing is impossible.”
Tony Rallis, Bolt’s agent while he’s in Australia, confirmed the potential deal. He said: “There”s a club in Europe that has offered Bolt a two-year deal. They have been taken over by new owners who have aspirations of Champions League football.”
Valletta FC have recently been taken over by Dubai investors Sanban Group, and they are determined to guide the club to the top of European football.
Their first objective is to make some stellar signings, certainly Bolt would add some much-needed gold dust to the club as well as put them in the media spotlight.
A lucrative contract will be up for grabs. Dubai investors tend to plan for both short-term and long-term success – something that Bolt demands. So it is now up to the former sprint king to decide where his footballing future lies.
Download The Jamaican Blogs™ App for your Android device: HERE
Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. To submit your own articles or to advertise with us please send us an EMAIL at: [email protected]