Usain Bolt has signed up to play football for a veterans’ Sunday league team in Manchester.
The eight-time Olympic champion is now a registered player for Wythenshawe Vets FC on the Football Association’s Full-Time website.
This team from south Manchester plays in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Veterans Football League.
As BBC Sport reported on Friday, the 40-year-old Jamaican may now play alongside several former Premier League stars. Wythenshawe Vets gained attention last year after bringing together a strong group of ex-professionals.
Their current team includes former England and Liverpool striker Emile Heskey, ex-Everton forward Oumar Niasse, former Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia, and ex-Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse.
Premier League champions Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater are also part of the squad, along with former Manchester City players Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha.
Bolt is known as the fastest man ever over both 100 meters and 200 meters. He set world records in both events at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
After he retired from athletics in 2017, Bolt tried to start a career in professional football. He trained with various clubs before joining the Australian A-League team Central Coast Mariners in 2018.
Bolt scored twice in a pre-season friendly for the Mariners. He later signed a contract with the club after turning down a two-year offer from Maltese team Valletta. But his time at Central Coast Mariners lasted only eight weeks.
Returning to football at the veterans’ level gives Bolt another chance to show off his football skills, this time with an amazing group of former professional players.
Wythenshawe Vets have not officially confirmed Bolt’s registration yet, and the club has been contacted for more information.
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