Usain Bolt, 40, takes another shot at soccer with veteran league club

Usain Bolt, the 100-meter world record holder and eight-time Olympic gold medalist, is making another attempt at a soccer career at age 40.

The BBC reported Saturday, citing the Football Association's "Full-Time" website, that the Jamaican sprint star has been registered as a player for Wythenshawe Bees FC in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Veteran Football League.

Wythenshawe Bees FC, based in Manchester, fields players aged 35 and older and competes in the top tier of the Cheshire Veteran Football League. Bolt's registration makes him eligible to appear in competitive matches.

Bolt collected 11 World Championship gold medals and eight Olympic golds, and set the 100-meter world record of 9.58 seconds at the 2009 World Championships — earning him the title of the fastest man in history. After retiring in 2017, he drew wide attention with attempts to reinvent himself as a soccer player.

He underwent trials at clubs in Germany, South Africa, Norway and Australia, and notably scored two goals in a friendly while on trial with Central Coast Mariners in Australia's A-League in 2018. Ultimately, however, he failed to secure a professional contract.

Bolt is well known as a devoted Manchester United fan, and his choice of Wythenshawe Bees FC appears connected to that allegiance.

The south Manchester club attracted considerable attention last year after assembling a high-profile squad by signing a number of former Premier League players.

Among them were striker Emile Heskey, formerly of Liverpool; striker Oumar Niasse, who played for Everton; Antonio Valencia, who served as Manchester United captain; and forward Papiss Cissé of Newcastle — a roster packed with familiar names from the Premier League era.