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Wednesday, October 14, 2026
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<strong>Together, let's make a legacy'</strong> - Kazuyoshi Miura, fifty-eight, joins a fresh football side.

Kazuyoshi Miura, who turns 59 in February and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has agreed to a loan deal until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.

This move means Miura could play in the Japanese professional league - the top three divisions of Japanese football - for the first time in half a decade.

The ex-international forward, who began his professional journey with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, failed to score in 69 minutes across seven appearances last season while on loan at JFL side Atletico Suzuka.

"My passion for football remains undimmed, no matter how old I get," he said as he prepares for a 41st season as a pro footballer.
"I am truly thankful to be presented with this chance. I vow I will play with everything I have 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 Italy, Croatia and Australia, joined the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.

He scored 55 goals in 89 games in an international career that ended in 2000, shortly following his notable omission from the squad for Japan's first World Cup finals appearance.

Miura, who has expressed a desire for continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being relegated last season to the country's lower regional divisions.

Fukushima United ended the season in tenth place in the 20-team J3 League last season.

Written by

Gwendolyn Hall

A tech strategist with over a decade of experience in AI implementation and digital transformation for businesses.

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