<strong>'Let's forge history'</strong> - Miura, fifty-eight, joins new football side.

The legendary Japanese striker, who turns 59 in February and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has agreed to a loan deal until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.

This move means Miura might feature in the J.League - encompassing the highest tiers of Japanese football - for the initial occasion in five years.

The ex-international forward, who started his career with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, failed to score in just over an hour across seven outings 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 pro footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be presented with this chance. I promise I will play with everything I have to help the team. Together, we can create a legacy!"

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 Australia, Italy, and Croatia, signed for the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.

He scored 55 goals in 89 games in an international career that ended in 2000, shortly following his notable omission from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.

Miura, who has talked of playing until he is 60, 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 twenty-club J3 League last season.

Scott Donovan
Scott Donovan

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