Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is recognized globally as football's most senior pro, has finalized a temporary transfer until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.
This move means Miura could play in the J.League - the top three divisions of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in half a decade.
The former Japan striker, who started his career with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, failed to score in just over an hour across seven outings last season while on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.
"My passion for football remains undimmed, regardless of my age," he said as he prepares for a forty-first campaign as a professional footballer.
"I am truly thankful to be presented with this chance. I vow I will play with all my heart to help the team. Together, we can create a legacy!"
Known as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth loan since 2022 from second division club Yokohama FC.
The veteran, who has also featured in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, signed for the club in 2005 but has not played a minute for them since 2020.
He scored 55 goals in 89 games in an career for the national team that concluded in 2000, two years after his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.
Miura, who has talked of playing until he is 60, said he was ready to "take on a new challenge" after being demoted last season to the country's lower regional divisions.
Fukushima United finished 10th in the 20-team J3 League last season.
