Kazuyoshi Miura, set to turn 59 next month and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has finalized a temporary transfer until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.
The transfer means Miura could play in the J.League - encompassing the highest tiers of Japanese football - 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 JFL side Atletico Suzuka.
"My love for the game hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," he said as he gears up for a 41st season as a pro footballer.
"I am truly thankful to be given this opportunity. I vow I will play with everything I have to make a contribution. 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 featured in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, joined the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.
He netted 55 goals in 89 games in an international career that concluded in 2000, two years after his notable omission from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.
The footballer, who has expressed a desire for playing until he is 60, said he was ready to "take on a new challenge" after being demoted last season to Japan's regional leagues.
Fukushima finished 10th in the twenty-club third division last season.
