Usain Bolt says he is looking forward to putting the work in after completing his first training session with the Central Coast Mariners.
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist joined his new Mariners teammates in a light session this morning as the team recovered from a pre-season game on Sunday.
While Bolt breezed through the running part of the session, the subsequent passing drills appeared a little more taxing.
"For me it's just like track and field, the first day of training is always the roughest one," Bolt said in his first press conference as a Mariner.
"It felt ok. I knew it would take time and work, and I'm ready to work."
The majority of the squad then moved on to play a small-sided game, while Bolt and former Reading defender Kalifa Cisse did some extra stretching.
"It's just the first day," coach Mike Mulvey said when asked if he liked what he had seen so far from the sprint world record holder.
"The glare was on him, he wouldn't be human if he didn't have any nerves. He's a fantastic athlete and we're happy to have him here."
"Lets get him out there, see what he can do and let his performance do the talking."
By gently easing Bolt into training, the Mariners gave a strong indication they would be willing to take their time, and Mulvey echoed that he would be giving Bolt every opportunity to prove his worth.
"What I want to stress is this is not a decision we have to make tomorrow or the next day." Mulvey said.
"We are absolutely delighted that Usain has chosen our club, this great community on the Central Coast, to actually further his ambition.
"If it takes 12 months for him to get ready, I'm happy to wait that long."
Mulvey also said that despite some negativity surrounding Bolt's arrival, having an Olympic champion would only be a positive for his players.
"You don't lower your training standards when Usain Bolt walks in the door," he said.
"This guy is a winner. Eight gold medals in the Olympics. You don't do that by just having great ability. You do it by having great mental capacity.
"If he can pass on a little bit of that to my players … this could be great for any of our young lads we have signed."
When details of Bolt's trial first emerged, Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp was forced to defend the move as not being simply a stunt or gimmick.
Bolt understood there would be criticism, but was looking forward to correcting the detractors.
"People are always going to say what they want to say. It's just like in track and field, people said all sorts of things about me and it was up to me to prove them wrong," he said.
"It's just another moment for me to prove people wrong.
"I'm here to get over the first hurdle first and that is getting a contract. After that I will see what level I am at and what level I need to work towards. Then I can determine my goals for the season."
Bolt has long expressed a desire to make it as a professional football player and has previously trialled at German giants Borussia Dortmund and Norwegian side Stromsgodset, but his Mariners stint represents his first extended period in a professional footballing environment.
"We got offers from teams in Spain, France, but it would be harder learning a new language. Australia is somewhere I enjoy coming." Bolt said.
"The Mariners decided to give me an opportunity and I'm very grateful."
Although his new coach was happy to give Bolt all the time he needed, Bolt was not prepared to put a time limit on his trial.
"I'm not setting myself any targets to say, 'This is what I'm going to do'," Bolt said.
"I'm just going to put in the work. This is my first chance.
"I have to work on the basic skills … there's things that I need to learn, that's why I'm here. But I'm excited for the opportunity."
