Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt is set to take another step towards becoming a professional footballer by going on a six-week trial with Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners.

The retired sprint king, who attended Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia in Moscow, has already had trials with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and Stromsgodset in Norway.

His trial in Australia will start next month and, if he is successful, could join the New South Wales club on a season-long loan deal.

The eight-time Olympic champion retired from athletics last year following the world championships in London and has not hidden his ambition of entering the professional football ranks.

The Mariners, who finished bottom of the A-League last season, have recently employed former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan as their sporting director.

According to Australian outlet The Daily Telegraph, they are believed to be Bolt’s most likely source of a professional deal but several other A-League clubs are interested.