🔗 Share this article <strong>We can create history'</strong> - Kazuyoshi Miura, 58, joins new team. 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 five years. The former Japan striker, who started his career with the Brazilian club Santos in 1986, did not find the net 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, regardless of my age," he said as he gears up for a forty-first campaign as a pro footballer. "I am truly thankful to be given this opportunity. I vow I will play with everything I have to help the team. Together, we can create a legacy!" Referred to as 'King Kazu' in Japan, this will be Miura's fourth loan since 2022 from J2 League side Yokohama FC. The veteran, who has also played club football in Italy, Croatia and Australia, signed for the club in 2005 but has remained absent from the pitch for them since 2020. He netted 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. Miura, who has talked of playing until he is 60, said he was ready to "embrace a fresh test" after being relegated last season to Japan's regional leagues. Fukushima United ended the season in tenth place in the twenty-club J3 League last season.