Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has signed a loan deal until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.
This move means Miura might feature in the Japanese professional league - encompassing the highest tiers of football in Japan - for the first time in half a decade.
The former Japan striker, who started his career with Brazilian side 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 passion for football hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," he said as he gears up for a forty-first campaign as a pro footballer.
"I am truly thankful 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 temporary move 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 not played a minute 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.
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 finished 10th in the 20-team third division last season.
