<strong>We can forge a legacy'</strong> - Miura, 58, signs with a fresh team.

Kazuyoshi Miura, set to turn 59 next month and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has finalized a temporary transfer until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.

This move means Miura might feature in the Japanese professional league - the top three divisions of Japanese football - for the initial occasion in five years.

The ex-international forward, who began his professional journey with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, did not find the net in just over an hour across seven outings last season while on loan at JFL side Atletico Suzuka.

"My love for the game remains undimmed, regardless of my age," he said as he prepares for a forty-first campaign as a pro footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I vow 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 featured in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, 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 concluded in 2000, two years after his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.

Miura, who has talked of continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "take on a new challenge" after being relegated last season to Japan's regional leagues.

Fukushima United finished 10th in the 20-team third division last season.

Edward Riley
Edward Riley

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