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.
The transfer 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 ex-international forward, who started his career with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, failed to score in 69 minutes across seven outings last season while on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.
"My love for the game remains undimmed, regardless of my age," he said as he gears up for a forty-first campaign as a professional footballer.
"I'm very grateful 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 temporary move since 2022 from J2 League side Yokohama FC.
The veteran, who has also played club football in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, signed for the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch 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 notable omission from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.
The footballer, 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 United finished 10th in the 20-team J3 League last season.
