<strong>We can forge a legacy'</strong> - Kazuyoshi Miura, fifty-eight, moves to a fresh team.

Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has agreed to a loan deal until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.

The transfer means Miura could play in the Japanese professional league - the top three divisions of football in Japan - for the first time in half a decade.

The ex-international forward, who started his career with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, failed to score in 69 minutes across seven outings last season while on loan at JFL side Atletico Suzuka.

"My love for the game hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," he said as he gears up for a forty-first campaign as a pro footballer.
"I am truly thankful to be presented with this chance. I promise I will play with everything I have to make a contribution. Let's make history together!"

Known as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth loan since 2022 from second division club Yokohama FC.

Miura, 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 career for the national team that ended in 2000, two years after his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.

The footballer, who has talked of continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being relegated last season to the country's lower regional divisions.

Fukushima ended the season in tenth place in the 20-team third division last season.

Tiffany Blair
Tiffany Blair

A tech journalist specializing in gaming innovation and digital entertainment trends, with over a decade of industry experience.