Usain Bolt registers to play for Manchester veterans’ football team

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Usain Bolt has registered to play football for a veterans’ Sunday league team in Manchester.

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The eight-time Olympic champion sprinter is listed as a registered player for Wythenshawe Vets FC on the Football Association’s Full-Time website.

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The south Manchester side compete in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Veterans Football League.

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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.

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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.

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Premier League title winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater are also registered, alongside former Manchester City players Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Wythenshawe Vets have not officially announced Bolt’s registration, and the club has been contacted for comment.

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