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<strong>'Let's make a legacy'</strong> - Miura, fifty-eight, signs with new team.

Kazuyoshi Miura, 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.

The transfer means Miura might feature in the Japanese professional league - the top three divisions of Japanese football - for the first time in five years.

The former Japan striker, who started his career 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 remains undimmed, no matter how old I get," he said as he prepares for a forty-first campaign as a pro footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I promise I will play with all my heart to help the team. Let's make history together!"

Referred to 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, joined the club in 2005 but has not played a minute for them since 2020.

He netted 55 goals in 89 games in an career for the national team that ended in 2000, two years after his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.

Miura, who has talked of continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being relegated last season to the country's lower regional divisions.

Fukushima ended the season in tenth place in the 20-team J3 League last season.

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Michael Manning

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