<strong>'Let's make a legacy'</strong> - Miura, fifty-eight, joins a fresh team.

Kazuyoshi Miura, set to turn 59 next month and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has signed a temporary transfer until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.

The transfer means Miura could play in the J.League - encompassing the highest tiers of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in five years.

The former Japan striker, who began his professional journey with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, failed to score in just over an hour across seven outings last season while on loan at JFL side Atletico Suzuka.

"My love for the game hasn't changed, regardless of my age," he said as he prepares for a 41st season as a professional footballer.
"I am truly thankful to be presented with this chance. I promise I will play with everything I have to make a contribution. Together, we can create a legacy!"

Known as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth loan since 2022 from J2 League side Yokohama FC.

The veteran, who has also played club football in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, joined the club in 2005 but has not played a minute for them since 2020.

He scored 55 goals in 89 games in an career for the national team that concluded in 2000, shortly following his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.

The footballer, who has talked of playing until he is 60, 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 twenty-club third division last season.

Beverly Cunningham
Beverly Cunningham

A tech journalist and digital lifestyle expert with over a decade of experience reviewing gadgets and exploring emerging technologies.