Bolt trains with South African side Mamelodi Sundowns
Sprint king Usain Bolt says he’s serious about pursuing a career in football after training with the Premier Soccer League club on Monday.
Retired sprinter Usain Bolt joined South African football team Mamelodi Sundowns at training on Monday during the Premier Soccer League (PSL) club’s morning session.
The eight-time Olympic champion, who arrived in South Africa in conjunction with personal sponsors Puma, spoke about his desire to transition to football.
"Throughout the years I decided that when I retire and if I ever get the chance‚ I would pursue this [a football career]," Bolt said.
"It is something that I would like to try and I am very serious".
The ‘Lighting Bolt’ retired from the track after suffering a hamstring injury at the World Championships in London in August last year.
Bolt far from football fitness
The 31-year-old Jamaican, who in March will have a trial at German side Borussia Dortmund, admitted that he is far from fitness to pursue a football career.
"If you follow in the media you will see that I am actually getting a trial [at Dortmund] in March. So, I am going to try and get fit for that.
"But this [the Sundowns training session] really tells me that I am unfit."
According to TimesLive, Bolt initially kept up with Sundowns’ training, but as the session and the substantial morning sun started to take the toll, he dropped back and eventually left the field.
"It was a very good experience‚" he said. "I do not know how quick I am with the ball but if I kick and run I can get there.
"I was just telling the coach that when I go back to Jamaica‚ I need some training. I am very unfit... I am very‚ very unfit."
"The good thing is that he is a free agent"
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane joked that the club could sign Bolt, as long as he gets fit.
"The good thing is that he is a free agent. We can sign him. Any position that he wants. He can play as the top striker because of his height. He can be a goalkeeper or a centre-back, wherever he wants. My advice for him on his upcoming trials: get fit," Mosimane said.
Mamelodi Sundowns are currently top of the PSL table with 35 points from 19 matches. The Pretoria team is favorite to win this year's South African top tier.