Japan legend Kazuyoshi Miura, 58, signs new loan deal

Kazuyoshi Miura, who will be 59 in February and is the oldest professional football player in the world, signed a loan contract with Japan 3rd League team Fukushima United until June.

The move means Miura can play in the J.League, the top three leagues in Japanese football, for the first time in five years.

The former Japanese striker, who started his career at Brazilian team Santos in 1986, failed to score a goal in 69 minutes in seven games on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka last season.

“My passion for football has not changed no matter how old I get,” he said as he prepared for his 41st season as a professional football player.

“I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. I promise to do everything I can to contribute. Let’s make history together!”

Known as ‘King Kazu’ in Japan, this will be Miura’s fourth loan from J2 League side Yokohama FC since 2022.

Miura, who also plays club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, signed for the club in 2005 but has not played a minute since 2020.

He scored 55 goals in 89 appearances in his international career, which ended in 2000, two years after he was left out of Japan’s squad for their first World Cup final.

Miura, who said he will play football until he is 60, said he was ready to “take on a new challenge” after being relegated to Japan’s regional leagues last season.

Fukushima finished 10th in the 20-team third league last season.