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 - encompassing the highest tiers of Japanese football - for the first time in half a decade.
The ex-international forward, who began his professional journey with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, did not find the net in 69 minutes across seven outings last season while on loan at JFL side Atletico Suzuka.
"My love for the game remains undimmed, no matter how old I get," he said as he gears up for a forty-first campaign as a professional footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I promise I will play with all my heart to make a contribution. Let's make history together!"
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 Italy, Croatia and Australia, 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 concluded in 2000, shortly following his notable omission 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 "take on a new challenge" after being demoted last season to Japan's regional leagues.
Fukushima United finished 10th in the 20-team J3 League last season.
