Usain Bolt leaves Australian football club after trial

Former sprinter Usain Bolt's trial with an Australian football club has ended "effective immediately" after the parties failed to agree on a contract, the club announced Friday.

The world's fastest man had been trialling for the A-League Central Coast Mariners since August. 

"I would like to thank the Central Coast Mariners' owners, management, staff, players and fans for making me feel so welcome during my time there," Bolt said in a statement released by the club.

"I wish the club success for the season ahead."

Bolt's representative and the Mariners were unable to strike a deal, after they could not find external commercial partners to boost the salary offer for the 32-year-old Jamaican sprinter to play for the club as a professional.

According to the Australian Associated Press, the Mariners offered Bolt a contract in the vicinity of 150,000 Australian dollars (107,000 US dollars) without any guarantee that the Jamaican would get an A-League game.

Mariners' owner Mike Charlesworth said Bolt's trial was "mutually beneficial" to the club and the eight-time Olympic gold medallist.

"Despite the fact that we could not come to an agreement that would continue Usain Bolt's football journey with the Central Coast Mariners, we've been thrilled to have the Olympic champion sprinter and world record holder as part of our club for these past eight weeks," Charlesworth said in a statement. 

"From day one, Usain dedicated himself to being part of the Mariners. He integrated very well into the team and made great strides as a footballer." 

Charlesworth said the partnership "brought an increased level of excitement and attention to both the Mariners and the A-League."

Bolt, who retired from competitive track and field last year, debuted for the Mariners against an amateur side in August, playing for 21 minutes as a winger. 

His best performance was a charity game on October 12 against Sydney team Macarthur South West United, a second-tier club, when he scored two goals in his club's 4-0 victory.

Six days later, Bolt was offered a two-year contract from Maltese club Valletta, which he rejected.

A known Manchester United fan, he trialled with Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund in Germany and Stromsgodset in Norway last year.

In Australia, the A-League started last month, with the Mariners playing their first game against the Brisbane Roar on October 21 without Bolt in the squad. It ended in a draw.

The Mariners finished bottom of the table last season. 

They have won the A-League premiership twice in the past, and the overall championship once - in the 2012-13 season under current Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.