Usain Bolt has been handed a footballing career lifeline in the most unlikely of circumstances with Argentina legend Diego Maradona interested in signing the Jamaican former sprinter.

It looked over before it begun. Usain Bolt has been trying to get into football ever since retiring from athletics just over a year ago but after a long trial with Australian side Central Coast Mariners failed to earn him a contract the dream looked over.

Bolt had scored twice in a friendly match during the trial but the 32 year old failed to agree a deal to join the A League side.

Now he could be about to join Diego Maradona in one of football's more unlikely pairings.

Argentina and Napoli legend Maradona is currently technical director of Dorados, a side in Mexico's second division, and according to the Mirror has been in talks with sponsors over the possibility of them covering the cost for Bolt's wages.

Bolt during his Australian trial. Image: PA Images

The 58 year old played alongside the 11 time Olympic gold medal winner in a friendly in Switzerland earlier this year and the former footballer was reportedly impressed by the man trying to break into a new sport.

When Maradona took over his role in Mexico in September Dorados were stuck to the bottom of the table. They ended up in the play-offs and now face Juarez in the semi-finals to try and make into the top tier of Mexican football.

Maradona celebrating with his players in front of fans. Image: PA Images

Maradona is hoping that he can sign Bolt to lead his attack in the top division next season so is relying on his current players, as well as sponsors, to pull off the deal.

Considering the former Barcelona forward's career it might not be the oddest thing that's happened to him but it would definitely count as one of football's stranger transfers.

Bolt has previously trained with Stromsgodset and Borussia Dortmund in his attempts to find a professional club who would sign him and let him realise his dreams.

It's fair to say that at the beginning of the process no one would be expecting the fastest man who ever lived and the man famous for the Hand of God to have linked up.