Bolt rejects soccer deal offer from Maltese club

LONDON: Sprinting legend Usain Bolt has turned down the offer of a two-year deal to play soccer for Maltese champions Valletta FC, his agent has confirmed. The 32-year-old Jamaican, who is hoping to win a contract at Australian side Central Coast Mariners, improved his chances of securing a deal by scoring twice in a pre-season friendly last week. Valletta had hoped to sign the eight-time Olympics gold medallist in time to feature in a Maltese Super Cup match against Balzan next month, but Bolt’s agent in Australia has confirmed the former athlete opted against a move to Malta. “There is a lot of interest in Usain playing football. We regularly receive similar approaches,” Ricky Simms said. Reuters