Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, trains with the Central Coast Mariners soccer team in Newcastle, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Bolt's attempt to win a contract to play as a professional in Australian football's A-League began in earnest on his 32nd birthday Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steve Christo)
The Associated Press
GOSFORD, Australia (AP) - Usain Bolt practiced with Australian soccer club Central Coast Mariners for the first time Tuesday, taking part in light passing drills and agility tests on his 32nd birthday.
Bolt, who said he passed up chances to try out for clubs in Europe before accepting an offer to come to Australia, pledged to stay with the club for an "indefinite" period. The eight-time Olympic champion, who retired from the track last year, has a long-held ambition to play professional soccer.
"We got offers from teams in Spain, France and stuff like that," Bolt said. "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."
Bolt previously tried to make teams in Germany, South Africa and Norway, but he is optimistic about breaking through 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.
With his speed not in question, Bolt said he was "good at center forward but open to playing anywhere on the park."
"I look forward to scoring as many goals as possible and bringing home the trophy," Bolt said. "But I'm just trying to get over the first hurdle now, that's to get a contract."
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Jamaica's Usain Bolt trains with the Central Coast Mariners soccer team in Newcastle, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Bolt's attempt to win a contract to play as a professional in Australian football's A-League began in earnest on his 32nd birthday Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steve Christo)
The Associated Press
Jamaica's Usain Bolt trains with the Central Coast Mariners soccer team in Newcastle, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Bolt, who holds the world records for the 100- and 200-meter sprints and is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist, is hoping to impress the coaching staff enough to earn a contract with the Mariners for the 2018-19 season in Australia's top-flight competition. (AP Photo/Steve Christo)
The Associated Press
Jamaica's Usain Bolt does a stretch during training with the Central Coast Mariners soccer team in Newcastle, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Bolt's attempt to win a contract to play as a professional in Australian football's A-League began in earnest on his 32nd birthday Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steve Christo)
The Associated Press
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures during training with the Central Coast Mariners soccer team in Newcastle, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Bolt's attempt to win a contract to play as a professional in Australian football's A-League began in earnest on his 32nd birthday Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steve Christo)
The Associated Press
Jamaica's Usain Bolt at his press conference with the Central Coast Mariners soccer team in Newcastle, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Bolt, who holds the world records for the 100- and 200-meter sprints and is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist, is hoping to impress the coaching staff enough to earn a contract with the Mariners for the 2018-19 season in Australia's top-flight competition. (AP Photo/Steve Christo)
The Associated Press