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Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, who remains the world record holder over both 100 and 200 meters, is pursuing his soccer ambitions by joining a well-known amateur club in England.
Bolt dominated the track throughout a glittering career that also yielded 14 World Championship medals, with 11 of those being gold.
He achieved an unparalleled Olympic sprint 'triple triple' in 2016—claiming gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at three consecutive Games—though one of those relay medals was stripped in 2017 after a teammate was found to have committed a doping violation nine years prior.
Bolt, now 40, has long harbored a passion for soccer. Back in 2016, he voiced his ambition to turn professional once his athletics career ended, describing it as something that "would be like a dream come true" should he ever get the opportunity to represent his beloved Manchester United.
While a move to Old Trafford never materialized, Bolt had a trial with Borussia Dortmund in 2018. That same year, he also trained in Norway with Strømsgodset—the club where Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard began his career—and with Central Coast Mariners in Australia's A-League. The Jamaican sprint legend netted twice in a friendly against a local amateur side for the latter and was subsequently offered a contract, though detractors argued it showed a lack of respect toward genuine professionals in the league.
In the end, Bolt spent eight weeks at the Mariners without ever making an official competitive appearance.
Usain Bolt Joins Ex-Pros on Amateur Team
Turning professional may have been an unrealistic goal and a marketing exercise for the clubs willing to take a chance on him, yet Bolt clearly demonstrated he could perform at a respectable level.
He will now get another chance to show what he can do on the pitch after his name was found on the official FA-registered player list for Wythenshawe FC Veterans, a Greater Manchester club competing in the Cheshire Veterans League.
The team caters to players aged 35 and above, but this is far from a typical amateur setup. Wythenshawe Vets have developed something of a cult following due to their roster being filled with former professionals.
Among the registered players alongside Bolt is Antonio Valencia, the former Manchester United captain and two-time Premier League winner. Marc Albrighton, Danny Simpson and Danny Drinkwater all lifted the Premier League trophy with Leicester City in 2015–16, while Joleon Lescott claimed the title twice during his time at Manchester City.
Former Liverpool and England forward Emile Heskey also features on the list, as does ex-Newcastle United striker Papiss Cissé, who scored the Premier League's Goal of the Season for 2011–12.
Stephen Ireland, Nedum Onuoha, Maynor Figueroa, Oumar Niasse, Kyle Bartley, Ciaran Clark, Paul McShane and Keiren Westwood all have Premier League experience to their names. Several other Wythenshawe squad members enjoyed notable EFL careers, among them Rory Fallon, who scored the decisive goal that sent New Zealand to the 2010 World Cup.
So far, Wythenshawe Vets have not made any official statement concerning Bolt, though the club has been sharing its squad details for the 2026–27 season across its social media channels in recent days.