<strong>Together, let's make history'</strong> - Kazuyoshi Miura, fifty-eight, signs with a fresh football side.
Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has agreed to a temporary transfer until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.
This move means Miura could play in the J.League - encompassing the highest tiers of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in half a decade.
The ex-international forward, who began his professional journey with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, failed to score in just over an hour across seven appearances last season while on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.
"My passion for football hasn't changed, regardless of my age," he said as he gears up for a 41st season as a professional footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be presented with this chance. I vow I will play with all my heart to help the team. Let's make history together!"
Referred to as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth loan since 2022 from second division club Yokohama FC.
The veteran, who has also played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, joined the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.
He netted 55 goals in 89 games in an international career that concluded in 2000, shortly following his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.
Miura, who has talked of continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being demoted last season to Japan's regional leagues.
Fukushima finished 10th in the twenty-club J3 League last season.
