Usain Bolt has registered to play football for a veterans’ Sunday league team in Manchester.
The eight-time Olympic champion sprinter is listed as a registered player for Wythenshawe Vets FC on the Football Association’s Full-Time website.
The south Manchester side compete in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Veterans Football League.
As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, the 40-year-old Jamaican could now line up alongside a host of former Premier League stars, with Wythenshawe Vets having attracted attention last year after assembling an impressive squad of ex-professionals.
Their current squad includes former England and Liverpool striker Emile Heskey, former Everton forward Oumar Niasse, ex-Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia and former Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse.
Premier League title winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater are also registered, alongside former Manchester City players Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha.
Bolt is the fastest man in history over both 100 metres and 200 metres, setting world records in both events at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
After retiring from athletics in 2017, Bolt attempted to pursue a career in professional football. He spent time training with several clubs before joining Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners in 2018.
Bolt scored twice in a pre-season friendly for the Mariners and later signed a contract with the club, having previously rejected a two-year offer from Maltese side Valletta. However, his time at Central Coast Mariners lasted only eight weeks.
A return to competitive football at veterans’ level would give Bolt another opportunity to showcase his footballing ability, this time alongside a remarkable collection of former professional players.
Wythenshawe Vets have not officially announced Bolt’s registration, and the club has been contacted for comment.
