Scoring exploits Down Under spark interest in Jamaican icon

SYDNEY - Following his scoring exploits in Australia, Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt could be making his way to Europe after being offered a two-year pro soccer contract in Malta, reports said on Tuesday.

Bolt, 32, has been on trial with A-League club the Central Coast Mariners since August in his bid to pursue a boyhood dream of becoming a soccer player after retiring from athletics last year.

The 100m world record holder scored his first two goals on Friday when he started a preseason game against second-tier Macarthur South West United in Sydney.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported Maltese club Valletta has made a formal offer that includes playing in its upcoming cup final.

The newspaper added that the team was recently bought by investors wanting to qualify for the group stages of Europe's Champions League, with the bid also including commercial incentives.

Valletta is a 24-time domestic league champion but has never progressed beyond the second qualifying round of the Champions League or Europa League.

The Australian agent who arranged Bolt's trial with the Mariners declined to confirm or deny the Malta reports on Tuesday.

Bolt does not yet have a contract with the Australian club ahead of the start of the A-League season on Friday.

Reports say the Mariners are waiting for governing body Football Federation Australia (FFA) to decide whether it will contribute to a potential $2.1 million offer for Bolt.

The FFA said it would consider ways to contribute in the form of marketing arrangements and facilitating sponsorships.

"If there is a social media play there, then we would explore that," FFA boss David Gallop told Macquaire Sports Radio.

Bolt has generated headlines around the world during his stint with the Mariners, and drew thousands of spectators to both of his two matches so far.

He previously failed tryouts for clubs in Germany, South Africa and Norway.

Drug test

Meanwhile, Bolt said he was stunned after being handed a drug test notice Down Under.

The demand for the out-of-competition test - to collect urine and blood - appears to have been issued by FFA.

"I've retired from track and field looking to become a footballer, but look at this," Bolt said on Monday via an Instagram video.

"How am I going to get a drug test today? I'm not even a professional footballer yet. Seriously.

"So I asked the lady, 'Why am I getting tested when I haven't signed for a club yet?,' and she said they told her I'm an elite athlete so I have to get tested. OK then."

However, Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority guidelines mean Bolt is eligible to be tested.

Their legislation defines an athlete as a "person who competes in sport" if "the sport has an anti-doping policy".

Agence France - presse