Usain Bolt trains for the first time for the A-League football club

Olympic sprint champion, Usain Bolt, came off the bench to commence his football career with Australiaโ€™s Central Coast Mariners in a pre-season friendly at Gosford on Friday.

Bolt later conceded that he would need more time to get up to speed.

The 32-year-old Jamaican, who is hoping to win a professional contract ahead of the Marinersโ€™ 2018-19 A-League campaign, was greeted by a crowd of nearly 10,000 as he stepped onto the pitch.

The match played at the teamโ€™s base north of Sydney, saw Bolt coming in as a substitute in the 72nd minute against an amateur select side.

With the Mariners already leading 6-0, a relaxed Bolt pulled off a few step-overs on the left wing and was inches away from connecting with a close-range tap-in.

There were a few heavy touches and the occasional loss of possession in the final few minutes, which showed Bolt still has plenty of work to do.

After the Mariners sealed a 6-1 victory, Bolt acknowledged that he would need at least, four months to build up his fitness levels and perform at his peak on the football pitch.

โ€œProbably four or five monthsโ€ฆ to get fit, two months. Four months from now, Iโ€™ll be playing like one of the guys,โ€ he said.

โ€œIt was good; it was what I expected. I was a bit nervous, but as soon as I got on the field it went away.

โ€œMy fitness is much better. The more I play, listen and train the better Iโ€™ll get,โ€ he said.

Boltโ€™s attempt to transform himself from global athletics superstar to professional football player has generated huge publicity for the struggling Mariners, who finished bottom of the 10-team A-league last season.

It has also drawn scepticism, with Adelaide United coach, Marco Kurz, questioning Boltโ€™s open-ended trial, saying the A-League should focus on recruiting proven talents and improving Australian youngsters.

(Reuters/NAN)

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