Kazuyoshi Miura, set to turn 59 next month and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has agreed to a temporary transfer until June with J3 League club Fukushima United.
The transfer means Miura might feature in the J.League - the top three divisions of football in Japan - for the initial occasion in five years.
The ex-international forward, who began his professional journey 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 gears up for a 41st season as a professional footballer.
"I am truly thankful to be given this opportunity. I vow I will play with all my heart to make a contribution. Let's make history together!"
Known as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth temporary move since 2022 from second division club Yokohama FC.
The veteran, who has also featured in Australia, Italy, and Croatia, joined the club in 2005 but has not played a minute for them since 2020.
He netted 55 goals in 89 games in an international career that ended in 2000, two years after his notable omission from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.
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 ended the season in tenth place in the twenty-club J3 League last season.
Eva de Vries is a passionate book lover and local writer from Eindhoven.
