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Central Coast insists business is going well for Usain Bolt, who plans to take an offer in Malta or continue chasing an A-League deal.
The Maltese defending champion, Valletta FC, has announced that he has offered a two-year contract to Bolt after the recent takeover of the club by investors from the United Arab Emirates and his commitment to fund a charge for the Champions League.
Bolt, who has been training in Gosford for nearly two months as part of a timeless trial, is trying to make the eight-time Olympic gold medalist a professional footballer.
The sailors insisted at every step that it was a long-term project. January had been announced as the likely deadline for a final decision while Bolt was attempting to reach the A-League standard.
But foreign interest after Bolt doubled in a test-game and the prospect of a lucrative deal without string made these discussions more complex.
"Usain Bolt will continue his training for an indefinite period with the Central Coast Mariners until further notice," Mariners general manager Shaun Mielekamp said in a statement.
"The club will not comment on media speculation about the future of Usain Bolt. The Mariners remain focused on our first round to face the Brisbane Roar. "
Valletta General Manager and General Manager Ghasston Slimen told ESPN that they hoped Bolt would arrive in time for a Malta Super Cup match on December 13th. "A champion is always welcome and at Valletta FC we think nothing is impossible," Slimen said.
The head of the Australian Federation of Football Federation, David Gallop, admitted that "the history of the contract in Europe is news to me".
"It's really the ball in the Mariners' field," Gallop told Macquarie Sports Radio. "He made clear progress and it was great, he scored two goals."
Gallop reiterated that the Mariners would not be allowed to tap into the league's marquee to sign Bolt, his goal being to attract world-class players such as the Melbourne Victory marque, Keisuke Honda.
"We do not want to compromise what is put in place," he said. But Gallop is open to FFAs that are considering other ways, such as marketing agreements and facilitating third-party referrals, can help mariners reach an agreement with Bolt.
"If they come to that [signing] We will see what is feasible, "he said.
In August, Bolt had indicated that he had rejected the offers of the Spanish and French clubs because they were not "in the first division" and that he had to learn a new language.
Coach Mike Mulvey has already made fun of the prospect that the 100m world record holder will become a distraction, repeatedly noting that the superstar would ease the pressure on his full-time team players.
Bolt's contract status remains a matter of global intrigue as the Mariners prepare to start their A-League campaign Sunday against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
An excerpt from Bolt's first goal against Macarthur South West United, uploaded to the Mariners' Twitter account, has been viewed more than six million times.
Mariners of the Central Coast
(@CCMariners)It's here, @usainbolt, the footballer, scores his first goal with the Mariners. What moment! Do not think about limits! ⚡️ #SWSvCCM #CCMFC ?@FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/X7zrqmrYCZ
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