<strong>'Let's forge history'</strong> - Miura, 58, moves to new club.

Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has agreed to a temporary transfer until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.

The transfer means Miura might feature in the Japanese professional league - the top three divisions of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in half a decade.

The ex-international forward, who started his career with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, did not find the net in 69 minutes across seven appearances last season while on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.

"My passion for football hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," he said as he prepares for a forty-first campaign as a professional footballer.
"I am truly thankful to be presented with this chance. I promise I will play with everything I have to help the team. Let's make history together!"

Referred to 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 played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, signed for the club in 2005 but has not played a minute for them since 2020.

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

Miura, who has expressed a desire for 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 ended the season in tenth place in the 20-team third division last season.

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