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15th Aug 2017

Usain Bolt offered legitimate trial at Championship side

Championship defenders, beware

Darragh Murphy

If Usain Bolt is looking for a new adventure, perhaps this intriguing offer will take his fancy.

The Jamaican sprint legend saw his time as a track athlete end in heartbreaking scenes at the weekend, when he pulled up with a hamstring injury during the final leg of his team’s 4x100m relay final at the World Championships.

Bolt failed to cross the finish line in London and his teammates have since blamed the race’s postponement and the fact that Bolt had cooled down by the time it got underway for the 30-year-old’s injury.

But Bolt, an avid Manchester United fan, has seemingly been offered a lifeline if he’d like to make a late stab at becoming a professional footballer.

Championship side Burton Albion are reportedly open to the idea of offering the 100m World Record holder a trial at the club in the hope that Bolt’s matchless speed translates to the pitch.

“I’m sure we would (offer a trial) and that the manager would. He’s quick, if nothing else!” Burton chairman Ben Robinson told the Sun.

“He’s done great for his sport athletics and if you look at Adam Gemili who was in the 4x100m relay he played football when he was younger.

“We would be very interested, obviously.

“I’m sure the manager would give him a trial. He’s done a tremendous amount for his sport.

“If he can apply the same amount of enthusiasm and dedication to soccer then who knows what might lie ahead?

“The standard is very high (in the Championship) and obviously he would need a level of talent to get his place in the team.”

Talks had previously taken place for Bolt to train with Borussia Dortmund although it was never believed that he would be offered playing time at the Bundesliga outfit.

And this week the BBC reported that, depending on how his hamstring is holding up, Bolt could be set to line out for Manchester United legends in an exhibition game against Barcelona at Old Trafford on 2 September.