<strong>'Let's make history'</strong> - Miura, fifty-eight, moves to a fresh football side.

The legendary Japanese striker, who turns 59 in February and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has agreed to a temporary transfer until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.

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

The former Japan striker, 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 all my heart to help the team. 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 played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, signed for the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.

He netted 55 goals in 89 games in an international career that ended in 2000, two years after his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.

The footballer, who has expressed a desire for continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being demoted last season to the country's lower regional divisions.

Fukushima United ended the season in tenth place in the twenty-club J3 League last season.

Joshua Barnes
Joshua Barnes

A seasoned gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering the UK casino industry and slot machine innovations.