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The legendary Japanese striker, who turns 59 in February and is the world's oldest professional footballer, has signed a loan deal until June with Japanese third division side Fukushima United.

This move means Miura might feature in the Japanese professional league - encompassing the highest tiers of football in Japan - for the first time in half a decade.

The ex-international forward, who started his career with Brazilian side Santos in 1986, did not find the net in just over an hour across seven appearances last season while on loan at JFL side Atletico Suzuka.

"My love for the game remains undimmed, regardless of my age," he said as he gears up for a forty-first campaign as a pro footballer.

"I'm very grateful to be presented with this chance. I vow I will play with everything I have to make a contribution. Together, we can create a legacy!"

Referred to 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 Italy, Croatia and Australia, signed for the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020.

He scored 55 goals in 89 games in an career for the national team that concluded in 2000, shortly following his surprising exclusion from the squad for Japan's maiden FIFA World Cup campaign.

The footballer, who has talked of continuing his career into his seventh decade, said he was ready to "take on a new challenge" after being relegated last season to the country's lower regional divisions.

Fukushima United ended the season in tenth place in the twenty-club third division last season.