<strong>Together, let's create a legacy'</strong> - Kazuyoshi Miura, fifty-eight, joins a fresh football side.

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

The transfer means Miura might feature in the Japanese professional league - encompassing the highest tiers of Japanese football - for the first time in half a decade.

The former Japan striker, who started his career with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, did not find the net in 69 minutes 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 gears up for a 41st season as a pro footballer.
"I am truly thankful to be given this opportunity. I vow 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 temporary move since 2022 from second division club Yokohama FC.

The veteran, who has also featured in Italy, Croatia and Australia, 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 career for the national team that ended in 2000, shortly following 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 "take on a new challenge" after being relegated last season to the country's lower regional divisions.

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

Erik Adams
Erik Adams

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