Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has finalized a loan deal until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.
This move means Miura could play in the Japanese professional league - encompassing the highest tiers of Japanese football - for the first time in half a decade.
The ex-international forward, who began his professional journey with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, failed to score in 69 minutes 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 forty-first campaign as a professional footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I vow I will play with everything I have to help the team. Let's make history together!"
Referred to as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth temporary move since 2022 from second division club Yokohama FC.
Miura, who has also played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, signed for the club in 2005 but has not played a minute for them since 2020.
He netted 55 goals in 89 games in an international career that ended in 2000, two years after his notable omission from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.
Miura, who has expressed a desire for 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.
