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

This move means Miura could play 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 began his professional journey with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, failed to score in just over an hour across seven appearances last season while on loan at JFL side 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 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!"

Referred to as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth loan since 2022 from second division club Yokohama FC.

Miura, who has also featured in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, joined the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.

He scored 55 goals in 89 games in an international career that ended in 2000, shortly following his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.

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 Japan's regional leagues.

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