Usain taking his best shot

Sprint great Bolt kicks off latest bid to earn pro contract with Australia's Central Coast Mariners

GOSFORD, Australia - Usain Bolt has taken the first tentative steps towards launching a pro soccer career after the sprint king joined Australian side Central Coast Mariners for his first training session on Tuesday.

Wearing gloves and tracksuit bottoms on a mild winter's day, the Jamaican did some light stretching, jogging and ball work with the rest of the squad in his first workout since being given the chance to win a playing contract with the A-League team.

Some heavy touches on his favored left foot, however, suggested his dream of playing for Manchester United is beyond him.

"It's just like track and field - the first day of training is always the roughest one. You can tell how much work you need to put in. But it felt OK, you know," Bolt said after the 45-minute workout.

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist, who also celebrated his 32nd birthday on Tuesday, has been given an opportunity by the Mariners despite already trying out for teams in Germany, Norway and South Africa to no avail since retiring from athletics last year.

The Mariners hope to turn him into A-League material in time for the start of the new season in late October, with the club saying he can stay indefinitely to prove his credentials.

A 70-strong media pack made the trek to the club's base in the town of Gosford, 75 kilometers north of Sydney, to witness this new chapter in Bolt's life.

The "fastest man on earth" said he was determined to prove any doubters wrong.

"I'm not setting myself any targets, I'm just going to put in the work," Bolt said.

"This is my first chance to get to a level to play as a professional, so I don't know what to expect. I'm just here to push myself. I'm here with a blank slate, I'm here to learn and get better."

Bolt dominated sprinting after winning gold in the 100 and 200m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He went on to win a further six Olympic golds and claim 11 world titles before deciding to pursue a soccer career.

Forward thinking

His love of the sport began at school, where he was a goalkeeper before moving to centerback, left wing and striker.

He would prefer to play up front for the Mariners, promising his trademark lightning bolt celebration if he scores a goal, but said he had no idea where the coach would use him.

"I'm OK on the wing, good at centerforward, but the coach will determine where I play and in what formation. I don't know," he said, sitting alongside Mariners coach Mike Mulvey.

Asked his first impressions, Mulvey said it was clear Bolt was nervous, but added: "It's just his first day. He's a fantastic athlete and we're absolutely delighted to have him here training with us."

Bolt said he wanted to be treated "as one of the boys" and that his strengths were his composure and an ability to read the game.

Despite trying to start a soccer career at an age when many are thinking about calling it quits, Bolt said he thrives on challenges and that in the back of his mind was a dream to play for United at Old Trafford.

"I daydream all the time about big things," he said.

"One of my biggest dreams is to play for Manchester United, that could be my biggest dream even if it is just for five games, one game. It would be a dream come true because I am a massive fan."

Agence France-Presse