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 Japanese professional league - the top three divisions of Japanese football - for the initial occasion in half a decade.
The ex-international forward, who began his professional journey with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, failed to score in just over an hour across seven appearances last season while on loan at fourth-tier club Atletico Suzuka.
"My passion for football hasn't changed, no matter how old I get," he said as he prepares for a 41st season as a professional footballer.
"I'm very grateful to be given this opportunity. I vow I will play with all my heart to help the team. 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 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 surprising exclusion 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 "take on a new challenge" after being demoted last season to Japan's regional leagues.
Fukushima finished 10th in the 20-team third division last season.
